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II 


PRINCETON.   N.   J. 


J  Part  of  the  ^ 

^       ADDISON  ALEXANDER  LIBRARY,       % 


I 


which  was  presented  by 
Messrs.  R.  L.  and  A.  Stuabt. 


BX  8080  .M9  S8  1856 
Stoever,    M.    L.    1820-1870 
Memoir   of   the   life   and  times 
of   Henry  Melchior 


LINDSAY  &,  BL A KiSTON'S  PUBLICATIONS. 


THE  SEPITLCHPvES  OF  CUE  DEPARTED. 

BY  THE  REV.  F.  R.  ANSPACH,  A.M 
"As  flowers  which  night,  when  day  is  o'er,  perfume, 
Breathes  the  sweet  memory  from  a  good  man's  tomb." 

Sir  E.  L.  Bulwer. 

Third  Edition.     In  one  Vol.,  12mo.     Price  $1.     Cloth,  gilt.  $1  50. 

This  is  a  volume  to  comfort  and  to  cheer;  to  render  the  grave  familiar,  and  to  derive  from  it«  eM» 
Iwnplation  the  most  encouraging  hopes.  A  fine  tone  pervades  the  volume,  and  it  abounds  in  jUst  Ma 
Bmeats  ornately  expressed.  We  should  be  glad  to  see  that  general  seriousness  of  feeling  which  woull 
oake  such  a  volume  popular.— Prfs6y<er!a;«. 

All  Christians  who  are  looking  forward  to  the  bliss  of  heaven,  by  passing  through  the  tomb,  will  b« 
tr«ngthened  and  comforted  by  glancing  over  the  lessons  here  inculcated  as  addressed  to  the  pilgria 
a  search  of  that  belter  country.— CAriston  Chronicle'. 

THE  CHILDREN  OF  THE  NEW  TESTAMENT. 

k  Beautiful  Presentation  Volume.      By  the   Ret.  Theophilus  Stork,  D.  D., 

Pastor  of  St.  Mark's  Lutheran  Church,  Philadelphia. 

12nio.,  Cloth,  75  Cents ;  in  full  gilt,  $1  00. 

"How  oft,  heart-sick  and  sore 
I've  wished  I  were  once  more 

A  little  child."— iMr5.  Soutk^f. 

The  general  contents,  the  devotional  and  lovely  spirit  that  pervades  it,  the  flowing,  lucid,  and  ricli 
diction,  the  sound  sentiments,  the  er;couragements  to  parents  to  bring  up  their  children  in  the  fear  of 
the  Lord,  the  Kbounding  consolations  for  those  who  in  God's  providence  have  been  called  to  yield  up 
their  liiile  ones  to  Hun  who  gave  them,  these  and  other  characteristics,  render  this  book  one  of  th« 
most  interesting  and  valuable  of  the  kind  that  has  for  a  long  time  been  presented  to  the  public— 
Lutheran  Observer. 

STRUGGLES  FOR  LIFE,  An  Autobiography. 
In  One  Vol.,  12mo.    Price  $1  00. 

What  Sunny  and  Shady  Side  are,  as  descriptive  of  American  Pastoral  Life,  this  delightful  volume  is 
as  descriptive  of  the  Life  of  an  English  pastor.  It  describes,  in  a  most  felicitous  style,  his  labours, 
trials,  sorrows,  pleasures,  and  joys.  But,  perhaps,  its  chief  value  consists  in  the  vivid  views  \i  gives 
ef  human  nature  as  illustrated  in  the  leading  characteristics  of  EngLsh  society,  manners,  and  customa. 
•^Spectatcr. 

THE  POETICAL  WORKS  OF  JAMES  MONTGOMERY. 

The  only  complete  edition  ;  collected  and  prepared  by  him  just  prior  to  his  death. 

With  a  Portrait.     One  Volume,  octavo. 
Price,  in  Library  style,  $2  00 ;  Cloth,  full  gilt,  $3  00 ;  Turkey  Morocco,  $4  00 

Tlie  poetry  of  the  Sheffield  bard  has  an  established  reputation  among  serious  readers  of  everv  class. 
The  spirit  of  the  humble  Christian  and  the  pure  Philanthropist,  breathes  throuirh  it  ali;  «i.il  few  wiS 
lise  from  the  perusal  of  Mr.  Montgomery's  poems  without  feeling  the  elevating  power  of  his  ctia-.ie 
6nu  beautiful  Ihies.  We  are  glad  to  see  such  a  favourite  poet  in  such  graceful  attire  '1  he  typ« 
paper,  and  entire  "getting  ap"  of  this  »olume,  is  in  tasteful  accordapce  with  the  precioiw  geniS  t» 
e»ntams,  and  reflects  great  A^redit       'iie  publishers.— iJecorJer. 


Gettysburg,  March  Ist,  1856. 

Having  been  favored  by  Pr.  Stcever  with  a  perusal  of 
the  Life  and  Times  of  Muhlenberg,  Primus,  the  Pa- 
triarch of  our  Church  in  America,  I  very  cheerfully  express 
the  opinion  that  it  is  a  Memoir  embracing  a  large  amount 
of  interesting  and  instructive  detail  in  regard  to  its  subject, 
and  his  times.  As  a  picture  of  the  man  and  of  his  labors, 
it  is  in  my  judgment  exceedingly  valuable.  It  cannot  but 
afford  much  gratification  to  all  who  read  it, — and  its  general 
circulation  in  our  Church  must  tend  to  display  its  true  spirit 
in  its  incipient  movements. 

C.  PHILIP  KKAUTH. 


(JimrfU  c/^cAwr  c^f4^/^ 


MEMOIK 


t  %\tt  nnb  €lmt3 

OP 

HENRY  MELCHIOR  MUHLENBERG,  D.D., 

PATRIARCH  OF  THE  EVANGELICAL  LUTHERAN  CHURCH  IN  AMERICA. 


M.  L.  STOEVER, 

PROFESSOR  IN  PENNSYLVANIA  COLLEGE. 


Semper  honos  nomenque  tuum  laudesque  manebunt. 


FOR     THE 

LUTHERAN  BOARD   OF  PUBLICATION. 


PHILADELPHIA: 
LINDSAY    &   BLAKISTON 

1850. 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1856,  by 
LINDSAY   &   BLAKISTON, 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States  for 
the  Eastern  District  of  Pennsylvania. 


gTEREOTYPED  UT  J.  FAGAN PRINTED  BY  C.  SHERMAN  &  SON. 


PREFACE 


The  responsibility  of  this  Memoir  belongs 
to  the  Lutheran  Board  of  Publication.  The 
idea  of  its  preparation  originated  with  those 
whose  wishes  the  writer  felt  under  obligations 
to  regard.  Under  other  circumstances,  he 
would  not  have  ventured  to  appear  before  the 
public  in  this  capacity.  The  book  makes  no 
pretension.  It  has  been  written  with  the  simple 
design  of  doing  good.  The  only  merit  claimed 
by  the  compiler  is  the  sincere  desire  he  has 
cherished  to  preserve  from  oblivion  one  whose 
memory  deserves  to  be  guarded  by  the  Church 
with  affectionate  interest,  and  the  effort  he  has 
made  to  gather  from  every  available  source  any 

(vii) 


Vlll  PREFACE. 

facts  he  supposed  would  throw  light  upon  the 
subject.  He  gratefully  acknowledges  his  in- 
debtedness to  kind  friends  who  have  aided  him  in 
collecting  the  necessary  material,  and  commits 
the  book  to  an  indulgent  public,  with  the  hope 
that  it  may  accomplish  the  object  intended, 
and  be  owned  by  the  Great  Head  of  the  Church 
for  the  advancement  of  His  kingdom  and  the 
promotion  of  His  glory. 

M.  L.  S. 

Gettysburg,  March  12th,  1856. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

PAGE 

Our  duty  to  perpetuate  the  memory  of  the  wise  and  good.  —  The 
Patriarch  of  the  American  Lutheran  Church  should  live  in  the 
grateful  affections  of  the  Church.  —  His  arrival  marks  a  new  era 
in  the  history  of  our  Church. — Frequent  accessions  to  the  minis- 
try from  this  period. — Object  of  the  Memoir  to  commemorate  the 
character  and  services  of  him  the  Church  was  to  revere 13 

CHAPTER  II. 

His  birth. — Education. — Religious  instruction.  —  Influence  of  early 
training.— His  progress  in  study.— Death  of  his  father.  —  Studies 
interrupted.  —  His  struggles  with  adversity. —Influence  of  afflic- 
tion upon  the  heart.  —  Ways  of  Providence  mysterious,  yet  di- 
rected by  infinite  goodness. —  From  his  twelfth  till  his  twenty- 
first  year. —  Love  for  study.  —  Teaches  at  Zellerfeld.  — Finds  a 
friend  in  Raphelius. —Enters  the  University  of  Gottingen.  —  In- 
fluence of  Dr.  Oporin's  teachings  upon  his  heart.  —  His  religious 
exercises.  —  Becomes  a  more  decided  Christian.  —  His  efforts  for 
the  good  of  others.— Teaches  a  Charity  School.— Enters  the  Theo- 
logical Seminary.  —  His  graduation.  —  Removal  to  Halle.  —  Se- 
lected as  a  Missionary  to  Halle.  —  His  call  to  Great-Kennersdorf 
as  Pastor  and  Superintendent  of  the  Orphan  House. — His  ordina- 
tion.— His  call  to  Pennsylvania. — His  acceptance  of  the  appoint- 
ment       17 

(ix) 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER  III. 

Condition  of  the  Lutheran  Church  in  America.  —  The  first  settle- 
ments in  1680. — Increase  of  the  German  population.  —  The  spiri- 
tual destitution.  —  Character  of  the  ministry. — Aid  received  from 
the  Swedish  Church.  —  Correspondence  with  Dr.  Ziegenhagen  of 
London.  —  Petitions  sent  to  Halle.  —  Interest  manifested  by  Dr. 
Francke,  and  others.  —  Supply  of  the  Sacred  Scriptures  and 
Hymn  Books  furnished.  —  Congregations  at  Providence,  New 
Hanover  and  Philadelphia  unite  in  an  effort  to  obtain  an  ordained 
minister  from  Europe.  —  The  effort  is  at  last  successful.  —  Dr. 
Muhlenberg's  services  secured 34 

CHAPTER  IV. 

Visits  friends  before  his  departure.  —  Commences  his  journey. — 
Spends  several  weeks  in  London. —  Embarks  for  America.  —  The 
voyage.  —  His  efforts  to  do  good.  —  His  interest  in  the  passen- 
gers.—  Performs  Divine  service  at  the  request  of  the  Captain. — 
Makes  use  of  the  Common  Prayer  Book  of  the  Episcopal  Church. — 
His  strong  faith  in  God. — Answer  to  Prayer 41 

CHAPTER  V. 

Reaches  Charleston.  —  Proceeds  to  Ebenezer,  the  colony  of  the 
Salzburgers,  to  confer  with  Messrs  Bolzius  and  Gronau  on  the 
condition  of  the  Church  in  America.  —  Most  kindly  received  by 
them. — A  happy  season  enjoyed. — Their  re-consecration  to  God. — 
Starts  for  Philadelphia.— Finds  the  Church  in  the  most  wretched 
condition. — Congregations  at  Philadelphia  and  New  Hanover.  — 
Mr.  Muhlenberg  assumes  the  pastoral  care  of  the  united  charge. — 
Occasion  for  discouragement. — His  faith  unshaken.  —  Difficulties 
in  his  path. — Advantages  of  his  early  training. —  His  correspond- 
ence with  the  brethren  at  Halle. — The  ignorance  of  the  people. — 
Their  great  spiritual  destitution.  —  Germantown  added  to  his 
charge.— His  labors  blessed. — Visits  Chester  County.— Organizes 
a  congregation.  —  Churches  erected.  —  Arrival  of  Brunnholtz, 
Kurtz,  and  Schaum,  from  Halle. —  Brunnholtz  labors  in  Phila- 
delphia.—  Muhlenberg  takes  up  his  residence  at  Providence. — 
Arduous  labors  of  the  pioneers  of  the  Church.— Formidable  diffi- 
culties.— Exposure  to  danger 49 


CONTENTS.  XI 

ClIAPTEll  \I. 

Mr.  Muhlenberg's  residence  at  Providence.  —  Ilis  various  duties. — 
His  irksome  journeys  for  the  good  of  his  health. — Amount  of  la- 
bor he  performed.  —  His  extraordinary  influence.  —  His  visit  to 
New  York,  and  other  places.  —  His  call  to  New  York  city. — 
His  refusal.  —  Reinforcement  from  Halle. — Handschuch's  arri- 
val.— Formation  of  the  First  Lutheran  Church  in  America. — Ordi- 
nation of  Mr.  Kurtz.  —  Progress  of  the  Church.  —  Want  of  Minis- 
ters.—  Muhlenberg's  desire  to  establish  a  Literary  and  Theolo- 
gical institution. — First  edition  of  Luther's  Catechism  published. 
— The  Kirchen  Agende  prepared.  — Accessions  of  ministers  from 
Germany 63 

CHAPTER  VII. 

Dr.  Muhlenberg  transfers  his  residence  to  Philadelphia.  —  Con- 
gregation in  a  distracted  condition.  —  His  success  in  restoring 
order. — His  patience  and  meekness  worthy  of  imitation.  —  Death 
of  Handschuh.  —  Arrival  of  Schultze.  —  Erection  of  Zion's 
Church. — The  spirit  of  our  fathers. — Success  of  Dr.  Muhlenberg. 
—  His  visit  to  Georgia.  —  His  judicious  efforts  to  reconcile  con- 
tending parties.  —  The  plan  adopted,  —  Other  valuable  services 
rendered  to  the  Salzburgers.  —  Dr.  Muhlenberg's  health  declines. 
— Physical  infirmities  increased. — Obtains  permission  to  retire  to 
the  country.  —  Resides  at  Providence.  —  Still  preaches  occasion- 
ally. —  Rev.  J.  L.  Voigt,  Pastor  of  the  charge.  —  His  life  by  no 
means  inactive. — Seeks  opportunities  of  doing  good. — Often  offi- 
ciates in  the  English  language. — His  position  on  that  question. — 
Opposition  subsequently  to  the  introduction  of  English  into  the 
services  of  the  sanctuary. — The  result  of  the  unfortunate  contro- 
versy.— Our  Church  almost  ruined   70 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

Revolutionary  War.  —  Dr.  Muhlenberg's  repose  often  disturbed. — 
'  His  devotion  to  his  adopted  country. —  His  life  threatened. — Un- 
willing to  flee  from  danger. — His  house  the  resort  of  all  classes. — 
His  sympathy  with  distress. —  His  kindness  of  heart.  —  T^ie  gra- 
dual decline  of  his  health. — His  increasing  maladies. — His  Chris- 
tian submission. — His  time  spent  in  prayer,  and  in  reading  God's 
word.--His  mind  calm  and  comfortable. —  His  last  hours  and  tri- 
umphant death. —  His  funeral. — General  grief  manifested.  —  The 
grave  of  the  Patriarch. — His  epitaph  81 


XU  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  IX. 

Marriage  of  Dr.  Muhlenberg. —  His  children. — John  Peter  Muhlen- 
berg, educated  for  the  ministry,  enters  upon  military  life.  —  An 
ardent  patriot. — Successful  as  a  General. — Prominent  as  a  States- 
man.— Dies  in  1807. — Frederick  Augustus  Muhlenberg,  educated 
for  the  ministry,  called  into  public  life.  —  Elected  to  important 
offices  of  honor  and  trust.— Henry  Ernest  Muhlenberg,  lived  and 
died  in  the  service  of  the  Church. — Preaches  in  Lancaster  many 
years.  —  Eminent  as  a  scholar,  and  enjoying  the  uninterrupted 
regard  of  the  community.  —  One  of  the  daughters  marries  Mr. 
Schultze.  —  Another  Dr.  Kunze,  a  third  Major  Swayne,  and  a 
fourth  Mr.  Richards 88 

CHAPTER  X. 

Personal  appearance  of  Dr.  Muhlenberg.  —  Estimate  of  his  general 
character. — His  intellect. — His  scholarship. — His  power  as  a  lin- 
guist.— The  estimate  of  his  cotemporaries. — The  subordination  of 
all  his  talents  to  the  great  object  of  life.  —  His  power  in  the  pul- 
pit.— His  knowledge  of  human  nature. — His  religious  experience. 
—The  Spirit  of  his  Master. — Regarded  as  a  model  pastor.  —  His 
interest  in  his  flock.  — His  love  for  children,  and  his  efforts  for 
/  their  welfare. — Lutheran  Church  distinguished  in  its  early  history 
V  for  the  religious  instruction  of  the  young. — Dr.  Muhlenberg's  ser- 
vices in  catechization. — His  solicitude  for  souls.  —  Extracts  from 
the  "Hallische  Nachrichten." — Exercises  preparatory  to  commu- 
nion. —  His  interest  in  the  African  race. — His  constant  anxiety  to 
do  good. — Dr.  Muhlenberg's  personal  character. — Lovely  spirit. — 
Kind  heart. — Acts  of  goodness. — His  simplicity. — Confidence  re- 
posed in  his  integrity  and  justice  by  the  whole  Church.  —  The 
secret  of  his  success. — Ardent  piety.  —  Devotion  in  the  service  of 
God. — His  unwavering  faith. — A  man  of  prayer. — His  dependence 
upon  the  Redeemer.  —  His  theological  views.  —  His  reception  of 
the  Augsburg  Confession.  —  The  Bible  he  regarded  as  the  only 
infallible  rule  of  faith  and  practice. — No  bigot.  —  His  views  libe- 
ral.— On  intimate  terms  with  his  cotemporaries  of  other  denomina- 
tions.— Tennent's  visit  to  him.  —  Davies'  estimate.  —  Attends  an 
Episcopal  Convention,  and  cordially  received.  —  Whitfield 
preaches  a  sermon  before  the  Lutheran  Synod.  —  Dr.  Muhlen- 
berg's love  for  all  Christians. — Conclusion 94 


MEMOIR 

OF 

HENRY  MELCHIOR  MUHLENBERG. 


CHAPTER  I. 


*'  Peace  to  the  just  man's  memory;  let  it  grow 

Greener  with  years,  and  blossom  through  the  flight 

Of  ages  ;  let  the  mimic  canvas  show 

His  calm,  benevolent  features :  let  the  light 

Stream  on  his  deeds  of  love;  that  shunned  the  sight 

Of  all  but  Heaven ;  and  on  the  book  of  fame 

The  glorious  record  of  his  virtues  write, 

And  hold  it  up  to  men,  and  bid  them  claim 

A  palm  like  his,  and  catch  from  him  the  hallow'd  flame." 

It  is  our  duty  to  rescue  from  oblivion  the 
memory  of  the  wise  and  good, — to  preserve  and 
perpetuate  the  virtues  and  labors  of  those  who 
have  been  eminent  for  their  piety,  and  devoted 
to  the  interests  of  the  truth.  Such  a  tribute  to 
the  memory  of  the  dead  is  not  only  due  to  those 
who  have  passed  away,  but  the  influence  is 
2  (13) 


14  MEMQIR    OF 

salutary  upon  the  living,  in  teaching  lessons 
of  wisdom.  Whilst  we  cherish  their  worth,  we 
can  imitate  their  example.  Being  dead,  they 
yet  speak  and  contribute  to  the  advancement 
of  the  cause,  for  which  during  life  they  prayed 
and  toiled.  The  record  of  their  struggles  and 
sacrifices,  their  labors  and  successes,  is  fitted  to 
prolong  their  usefulness,  to  animate  our  zeal, 
and  to  furnish  additional  incentives  to  increased 
fidelity  and  greater  diligence  in  our  work  of 
faith  and  love. 

The  memory  of  him  who  has  long  been  justly 
regarded  as  the  founder  of  the  Evangelical  Lu- 
theran Church  in  America,  should  continue  to 
live  in  the  grateful  affections  of  the  Church. 
His  name  should  be  pronounced  with  venera- 
tion and  love,  —  his  character  revered,  —  his 
virtues  enshrined  in  our  hearts,  and  his  services 
transmitted  to  posterity.  His  life  was  useful, — 
his  death  was  honored, — his  influence  should 
be  extended  to  future  ages  and  distant  people, 
to  make  a  still  deeper  and  livelier  impression 
upon  mankind. 


HENRY   MELCniOR   MUHLENBERG.       15 

The  arrival  of  Muhlenberg,  in  1742,  consti- 
tutes a  new  epoch  in  the  history  of  our  Church 
in  this  country.  There  had  been,  anterior  to 
this  time,  numerous  Lutheran  settlements  in 
different  parts  of  the  land,  and  some  of  them 
had  been  provided  with  able  and  faithful  min- 
isters ;  but,  as  a  general  matter,  our  Lutheran 
population  had  been  sadly  neglected.  Our 
members  were  destitute  of  the  regular  means 
of  religious  instruction; — comparatively  little 
had  been  done  to  supply  their  spiritual  wants. 
Many  were  famishing  for  the  lack  of  know- 
ledge. The  children  were  earnestly  crying  for 
bread,  and  importunately  stretching  out  their 
hands  for  help.  They  naturally  looked  to  their 
transatlantic  brethren,  whose  hearts  were 
touched  with  compassion,  and  whose  sympa- 
thies became  strongly  enlisted,  in  view  of  the 
desolation  that  existed.  The  imploring  cry 
was  not  uttered  in  vain.  In  answer  to  the 
strong  appeal,  and  oft-repeated  supplication, 
relief  was  sent.  For  this  important  and  respon- 
sible field  of  labor  was  procured  that  eminent 


16  MEMOIR    OF 

servant  of  God,  whom  we  delight  to  recognise 
as  the  Patriarch  of  our  Church,  and  who  pos- 
sessed a  combination  of  quahties  so  admirably 
adapted  to  the  missionary  work  assigned  him 
by  Providence  in  this  Western  world.  From 
this  period  in  our  history,  frequent  accessions 
were  made  to  the  ranks  of  the  ministry, — men 
educated  at  Halle,  imbued  with  the  proper 
spirit,  and  wholly  devoted  to  their  work,  upon 
whose  labors  the  blessing  of  Heaven  signally 
rested.  The  character  of  our  Zion  soon 
changed, — its  condition  gradually  improved, — 
its  position  was  strengthened,  and  permanence 
imparted  to  its  operations.  This  memoir  is 
designed  to  commemorate  the  life  and  services 
of  a  man  who,  under  God,  contributed  no  small 
share  to  the  production  of  this  result,  and  the 
indefatigable  and  self-denying  efforts  of  whose 
earnest  and  faithful  life  illustrated  and  defended 
the  duties  and  doctrines  of  the  Church  he  loved, 
and  for  whose  advancement  he  so  long  labored. 


HENRY   MELCIIIOR   MUHLENBERG.       17 

CHAPTER  Ii; 

Henry  Melchior  Muhlenberg  was  born  Sep- 
tember 6th,  1711,  at  Einbeck,  in  Hanover,  then  a 
free  city  of  the  Empire.  He  was  the  son  of  Nico- 
las Melchior  and  Ann  Maria  Kleinschmidt, 
originally  Saxon,  but  who,  like  many  of  the 
earlier  followers  of  the  great  Reformer,  having 
suffered  severely  during  the  Thirty  Years'  War, 
which,  for  a  time,  threatened  the  extermina- 
tion of  the  Protestant  religion  in  Europe,  re- 
moved to  Einbeck.  His  father  was  well  known 
in  the  community,  and  greatly  respected.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  City  Council,  and  also 
held  a  judicial  appointment,  from  which  he 
derived  the  necessary  means  for  the  support  of 
his  family.  His  mother  was  the  daughter  of  a 
retired  officer,  and  is  represented  as  a  woman 
of  sterling  good  sense,  devoted  piety,  and  un- 
tiring energy.  His  parents  early  dedicated 
Henry  to  God  in  Christian  baptism,  and  strove 
to  bring  him  up  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord.  Their 
sacred  influence  over  him  was  never  lost.  The 
2* 


18  MExAIOIR    OF 

foundations  of  his  character  were  deeply  laid  in 
the  dispositions  and  habits  he  at  this  time 
acquired ; — to  the  pure  atmosphere  he  breathed 
must  be  ascribed  the  strength  and  vigor  of  his 
moral  constitution.  The  religious  principles  he 
was  taught  in  his  childhood,  were  never  effaced 
from  his  mind.  In  after  life  he  retained  a  vivid 
impression  of  these  early  scenes.  Parental  in- 
structions and  counsels,  together  with  the  fer- 
vent prayers  with  which  they  were  enforced, 
were  not  without  the  Divine  blessing.  Chris- 
tian fidelity  was  accompanied  with  the  promised 
reward.  The  seed  sown  yielded  its  appropriate 
fruit.  How  many  striking  illustrations  do  the 
biographies  of  good  men  afford  of  the  power  of 
youthful  impressions, — of  the  deep  and  lasting 
influence  which  early  religious  instruction  ex- 
erts upon  the  mind !  The  basis  of  character  is 
usually  laid  in  youth.  At  this  interesting  and 
critical  period,  you  may  mould  it  into  any  form. 
By  securing  it  in  time,  you  may  render  it  pro- 
ductive of  the  highest  good.  You  may  imprint 
upon  the  child  your  own  soul; — you  may  give 


HENRY   MELCIIIOR   MUHLENBERG.       19 

it  a  direction,  which  no  subsequent  efforts  can 
change.  There  are  no  inveterate  habits  to 
destroy, — no  strong  prejudices  to  eradicate, — 
no  perplexing  cares  to  harass.  The  youthful 
mind,  unsuspicious  and  unbiassed,  drinks  in 
instruction,  and,  under  the  precious  influences 
of  the  Holy  Spirit,  is  made  savingly  acquainted 
with  the  truth.  If  we  go  forth  in  our  Master's 
strength,  relying  upon  the  promised  aid,  and 
looking  for  the  Divine  blessing,  we  shall  not  be 
disappointed.  Even  if  our  efforts  should  not 
immediately  be  crowned  with  success,  there  is 
no  reason  for  discouragement.  Although  the 
seed  may  seem  to  have  died,  yet  we  may  rest 
assured,  if  we  have  been  faithful,  it  will  spring 
up,  and,  in  God's  own  good  time,  bring  forth 
fruit  unto  eternal  life,  —  for  the  word  of  the 
Lord  hath  spoken  it :  "  Train  up  a  child  in  the 
way  in  which  he  should  go,  and  when  he  is 
old,  he  will  not  depart  from  it.'' 

At  an  early  period,  young  Henry  was  sent 
to  school,  his  parents  being  desirous  of  giving 
him  a  regular  and  liberal  education.     He  at 


20  MEMOIR    OF 

/^first  attended  the  instructions  of  the  Primary 
Schools  in  his  native  place,  and  devoted  his 
/  time  principally  to  acquiring  an  acquaintance 
with  his  vernacular  tongue.  At  the  age  of 
seven,  he  commenced  the  study  of  the  Latin 
language.  Gifted  with  natural  abilities,  and 
placed  under  the  most  favorable  influences,  his 
progress  was  very  rapid ;  his  mental  faculties 
expanded,  and  he  laid  the  foundation  of  that 
general  knowledge  which  belonged  to  his  future 
character.  He  was  also  instructed  in  the  doc- 
trines and  duties  of  the  Christian  religion,  and, 
at  the  termination  of  his  twelfth  year,  was  re- 
ceived into  connection  with  the  Church,  by  the 
rite  of  confirmation. 

The  studies  of  the  lad  were,  however,  at  this 
important  period  of  his  life,  suddenly  arrested 
in  consequence  of  the  death  of  his  father,  from 
whose  daily  exertions  the  family  derived  their 
sustenance.  He  was  accordingly  taken  from 
school,  and,  as  he  himself  remarks,  "was  for 
some  time  kept  constantly  at  hard  labor." 
Although  there  was  little  opportunity  afforded 


HENRY  MELCIIIOR   MUHLENBERG.       21 

him  for  study,  in  his  efforts  to  assist  in  the 
maintenance  of  his  mother's  family,  yet  his  love 
of  knowledge  could  not  be  repressed.  His  own 
exemplary  deportment  won  for  him  many 
friends,  who  encouraged  him  in  his  desires,  and 
aided  him  in  his  exertions.  His  mother,  too, 
w^as  exceedingly  anxious  that  the  original  plan 
in  reference  to  the  education  of  her  son  should 
be  carried  out;  and,  to  secure  this  object,  re- 
mitted no  attention,  spared  no  effort.  Al- 
though he  was  compelled  to  struggle  with 
adversity,  and  encounter  many  difficulties,  yet 
in  this  severe  but  useful  school  were  formed 
those  distinguished  traits  of  character  which  so 
prominently  marked  his  subsequent  career,  and 
so  admirably  qualified  him  for  the  arduous 
position  he  was  afterwards  called  to  occupy  in 
this  Western  land.  His  early  life  were  years  | 
of  privation  and  toil ;  yet,  without  this  disci- 
pline, he  would  probably  never  have  acquired 
those  habits  of  self-reliance,  heroic  fortitude, 
and  stern  determination  of  purpose,  which  con- 
tributed so  much  to  his  future  usefulness.    That 


22  MEMOIROF 

covenant-keeping  God,  to  whom  he  had  been 
dedicated  in  infancy,  was  exercising  over  him 
a  watchful  care,  by  preparing  him,  by  a  course 
of  disciphne,  more  effectually,  for  the  work 
w^hich  had  been  appointed  him.  The  afflictions 
of  this  life  do  improve  the  character  and  pre- 
pare it  for  increased  influence.  Men  are  often 
trained  by  a  series  of  Providential  events,  so  as 
to  be  made  more  efficient  in  that  sphere  of 
action  for  which  they  are  intended.  "God's 
thoughts  are  not  as  our  thoughts,  neither  are 
his  ways  as  our  ways."  How  constantly  can 
the  Christian  trace  the  finger  of  God  and  recog- 
nise his  guardian  care  and  superintending  guid- 
ance in  all  the  occurrences  of  life.  "  The 
steps  of  a  good  man  are  ordered  by  the  Lord." 
He  is  often  led  by  a  path  of  which  he  knew  not 
at  the  time.  The  dispensations  of  Providence 
may  sometimes  seem  to  him  mysterious,  — alto- 
gether inexplicable  to  human  reason ;  yet,  he 
knows,  if  he  loves  God,  all  things  will  work  for 
his  good.  One  of  the  most  comforting  doctrines 
of  Divine  revelation  is,  that  we  are  under  the 


HENRY   MELCHIOR   MUHLENBERG.      23 

administration  of  an  infinitely  perfect  Being, 
whose  ways  are  directed  by  unerring  wisdom, 
combined  with  boundless  goodness.     Thus  the 
believer  gains  strength  for  the  future,  and  girds 
up  his  loins  for  the  work. 
y/      From  his  twelfth  until  his  twenty-first  year, 
young  Muhlenberg  toiled  incessantly  for  a  live- 
lihood ;  yet,  during  the  intervals  of  repose,  his 
mind  was  entirely  occupied.     He  eagerly  em- 
braced every  opportunity  afforded  him  for  men- 
tal improvement.     His  leisure  moments  were 
fixithfully  devoted  to  study,  and  to  acquiring 
skill  in  playing  upon  the  organ.     On  reaching 
the  age  of  manhood,  he  regularly  resumed  his 
literary  pursuits  as  a  private  student  of  the 
classics,  under  the  direction  of  one  of  the  Pas- 
tors at  Einbeck.      At  the  expiration  of  the 
year,  he  succeeded  in  securing  the  situation 
of  tutor  in  the  school  of  Eector  Kaphelius,  at 
Zellerfeld.      Here  he  gave  instruction  during 
four  hours  of  each  day ;  one  of  the  conditions 
of  the  engagement  being,  that  the  principal 
part  of  the  time  should  be  at  his  own  disposal, 


24  MEMOIROF 

for  the  culture  of  his  mhid.  He  was  pleased 
with  his  situation,  and  became  most  deeply 
interested  in  his  pupils.  He  was  glad  of  an 
opportunity  to  review  his  early  studies,  and 
derived  from  the  exercise  great  benefit.  In 
his  journal,  he  remarks,  "he  was  able  again 
/ :  to  learn  the  pleasant  catechism,  and  to  im- 

;  prove  himself  in  writing,  arithmetic,  and 
to  play  upon  the  organ."  With  the  assistance 
of  Raphelius  and  his  associates,  he  made  con- 
siderable progress  in  his  private  studies,  during 

'  the  hours  he  was  not  officially  employed,  laying 
an  excellent  foundation  in  the  Latin,  Greek, 
Hebrew,  and  French,  and  exercising  himself  in 
vocal  and  instrumental  music. 
J  /  In  the  spring  of  1735,  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
four,  he  entered  the  University  of  Gottingen, 
in  accordance  with  the  advice  of  his  friend 
Raphelius,  who  manifested  the  deepest  interest 
in  his  welfare.  The  means  of  his  support,  for 
the  first  year,  were  drawn  from  a  fund  con- 
tributed by  his  native  city,  in  connection  with 
the  little  his  widowed   mother  could   gather 


UENRY   MELCniOR   MUHLENBERG.       25 

together  for  the  purpose.  "In  this  way,"  he 
says,  "did  God,  from  pure  compassion,  make 
provision  for  my  temporal  wants."  By  the 
aid  of  generous  friends  he  was  enabled  still  to 
continue  the  prosecution  of  his  studies,  and  to 
prepare  himself  more  fully  for  the  duties  of 
active  life.  He  continued  at  the  university 
three  years,  and  during  that  period  he  sur- 
mounted the  obstacles  that  lay  in  his  path, 
and  attracted  the  favorable  notice  of  the  au- 
thorities in  the  institution.  He  enjoyed  the 
instructions  of  Professor  Hoilman  in  Philoso- 
phy, those  of  Professor  Woener  in  Hebrew  and 
Mathematics,  of  Professor  Gesner  in  the  depart- 
ment of  Greek,  and  of  Dr.  Oporin  in  Theology. 
Here  he  acquired  those  habits  of  accurate 
study,  useful  discrimination,  and  systematic 
effort — of  that  ripe  scholarship  and  extensive 
erudition  for  which  he  was  distinguished  in 
after-life,  and  which  awakened  so  much  admi- 
ration. The  pious  teachings  and  excellent 
counsels  of  Dr.  Oporin,  who  had  kindly  taken 
him  into  his  family,  and  employed  him  as  an 


26  MEMOIR    OF 

amanuensis,  exerted  a  most  salutary  influence 
upon  his  heart.  He  was  much  exercised  on 
the  subject  of  religion^  and  at  this  time  ob- 
tained a  deeper  insight  into  his  own  character 
by  nature,  and  a  clearer  apprehension  of  the 
plan  of  salvation.  "By  the  lectures  of  Dr. 
V  Oporin/'  he  remarks,  "  on  the  total  corru^:tion 
of  our  nature,  I  was  much  moved,  and  so  con- 
vinced of  my  sinfulness,  that  I  loathed  myself 
on  account  of  my  folly.  I  was  convinced  by 
the  Word  of  God,  that  my  understanding  had 
been  dark  until  this  period  in  spiritual  things ; 
that  my  will  was  disinclined  to  that  new  life 
which  proceeds  from  God ;  that  my  memory 
had  been  employed  only  in  collecting  carnal 
things,  my  imagination  in  discovering  sinful 
objects  for  the  gratification  of  my  perverted 
affections,  and  my  members  by  habitual  use 
had  become  weapons  of  unrighteousness.  But 
as  I  learned  to  recognise  sin  as  sin,  there  fol- 
lowed sorrow,  repentance,  and  hatred  of  it  — 
shame  and  humiliation  on  account  of  it — hun- 
ger and  thirst  for  the  righteousness  of  Jesus 


HENRY   MELCniOR   MUHLENBERG.       27 

Christ.  In  this  state  of  mind  I  was  directed 
to  the  crucified  Jesus,  who  had  been  wounded 
for  ray  transgressions  and  bruised  for  my  ini- 
quities. The  wounds  of  Christ  healed  my 
wounds,  the  merits  of  His  death  gave  me  life ; 
my  thirst  was  quenched  by  Him,  the  living 
spring."  How  interesting  is  this  description 
of  his  recovery  from  sin,  and  the  surrender 
of  his  heart  to  God !  How  much  his  expe- 
rience corresponds  with  that  of  all  genuine 
Christians !  God's  children  all  have  the  same 
image,  the  same  superscription,  the  stamp 
which  characterizes  the  whole  family.  "Be- 
holding as  in  a  glass  the  glory  of  the  Lord,  we 
are  changed  into  the  same  image !" 

From  this  period,  Mr.  Muhlenberg  became 
a  most  decided  and  active  Christian.  He  re- 
signed himself  entirely  to  God's  will,  and  burned 
with  an  ardent  desire  to  do  good.  He  formed 
the  purpose  of  employing  his  life  for  the  salva- 
tion of  souls,  and  of  labouring  for  the  Re- 
deemer's glory.  His  leisure  hours  he  now 
devoted  to  efforts  for  the  amelioration  of  those 


28  M  E  M  0  I  R    0  F 

around  him  in  indigent  circumstances  —  to  la- 
bours designed  for  the  spiritual  improvement 
of  the  most  neglected  portion  of  the  com- 
munity. In  connection  with  two  other  pious 
students,  he  regularly  gave  instruction  in  the 
elementary  branches  of  knowledge,  and  the 
principles  of  the  Christian  religion.  This  laud- 
able effort  at  first  excited,  in  some  quarters, 
the  most  determined  opposition,  and  rendered 
him  the  victim  of  persecution ;  yet  before  he 
left  the  institution  the  excitement  had  entirely 
subsided ;  he  enjoyed  the  satisfaction  of  seeing 
the  school  established  upon  a  permanent  basis, 
and  placed  under  the  protecting  care  of  the 
Theological  Faculty;  its  influence  was  ex- 
tended, and  its  facilities  for  doing  good  greatly 
increased.  It  had  gathered  around  it  power- 
ful friends,  and  its  youthful  founder  was  favored 
with  the  grateful  acknowledgments  of  those 
who  presided  over  the  interests  of  the  uni- 
versity, for  his  successful  efforts.  Of  the  value 
of  the  school,  he  himself  says  :  '-  It  was  of  ser- 
I  vice  in  withdrawing  many  beggar  children  from 


HENRY   MELCHIOR   MUHLENBERG.       29 

the  streets,  and  making  them  acquainted  with 
the  doctrines  of  the  Gospel.  In  addition  to 
which,  also,  young  students  had  an  opportunity 
of  training  themselves  in  catechisation." 

Two  years  after  his  introduction  to  the  uni- 
versity, he  was  received  as  a  regular  member 
of  the  Theological  Seminary,  with  the  privilege 
of  preaching  and  imparting  catechetical  instruc- 
tion. Soon  after,  he  was  chosen  as  private 
chaplain  to  Count  Keuss  XI.,  whose  affection 
he  in  a  high  degree  enjoyed ;  he  w^as  also  pre- 
sented to  the  favorable  notice  of  Baron  Yon 
Munchausen,  by  whom  he  was  generously  fur- 
nished with  means  for  the  continued  prosecu- 
tion of  his  studies. 

On  his  graduation  at  Gottingen,  through  the 
kind  influence  of  Counts  Reuss  XXIV.  and 
Erdman  Henckel,  he  was  permitted  to  repair 
to  Halle,  for  the  purpose  of  devoting  some  time 
to  Biblical  and  pastoral  studies,  and  also  of 
giving  instruction  in  the  celebrated  Orphan 
House.  The  position  he  here  occupied  was 
well  adapted  to  fit  him  for  the  missionary  life 
3* 


30  MEMOIROF 

he  subsequently  pursued.      In  the  discharge 
of  all  the  duties  incumbent  upon  him,  he  was 
found  faithful.      His  great  aim  seemed  to  be 
the  approbation  of  his  own  heart  and  the  ap- 
proval of  his  God.     The  consciousness  of  his 
own  weakness,  as  well  as  his  dependence  upon 
a  higher  than  a  human  power  for  success,  is  at 
all  times  apparent.     The  strongest,  he  knew, 
were  utterly  impotent  for  any  good  work,  but 
the  weakest  were  mighty,  if  they  looked  unto 
God,  and  that  His  blessing  gave  the  increase. 
Often  was  he  at  the  mercy-seat,  seeking  the 
Divine  aid  and  imploring  the  grace  which  he 
required  to  help  in  time  of  need.     The  goodness 
of  God  he  recognised  in  all  the  blessings,  tem- 
poral and  spiritual,  which  he  possessed.     He 
felt  that  this  was  the  unfailing  source  whence 
all   his   favors   sprang,  the  only  true  founda- 
tion of  all  his  comforts,  happiness,  and  hopes. 
"Ceaseless  praises,"  he  says,  "be  ascribed  to 
God  for  the  numberless  spiritual  and  temporal 
gifts  I  enjoy  —  the  warm  parental  love  and 
care  with  which  I  am  favored."     Durino;  his 


HENRY   MELCUIOR   MUHLENBERG.       31 

residence  at  Halle,  he  lived  on  the  most  inti- 
mate terms  with  Francke,  Cellarius,  and  Fab- 
ricius,  who  were  then  among  the  most  dis- 
tinguished luminaries  of  the  Church.  They 
were  his  kind  friends  and  affectionate  coun- 
sellors. Principally  by  their  advice  was  he 
persuaded  to  engage  in  the  work  assigned  him 
in  this  country.  Their  friendship  animated 
his  heart,  encouraged  him  in  his  missionary 
labors,  and  cheered  his  pathway  through  life. 

The  subject  of  our  narrative  had  been  scarcely 
a  year  at  Halle,  when  he  was  invited  to  return 
to  Gottingen  and  take  charge  of  the  charity 
school  he  was  instrumental  in  founding,  the 
operations  of  which  had  become  greatly  en- 
larged, and  required  additional  force  in  the 
instruction.  His  friends  at  Halle  were,  how- 
ever, unwilling  to  give  their  consent,  as  it  was 
their  intention  to  send  him  as  a  missionary  to 
India,  to  establish  a  new  mission  at  Bengal. 
About  the  same  time  he  also  received  a  call  to 
Great-Hennersdorf,  in  Lusatia,  as  pastor  and 
/   superintendent  of  the  Orphan  House.      This 


32  MEMOIR    OF 

appointment  he  proposed  at  once  to  decline,  as 
he  regarded  himself  as  designed  for  the  mis- 
sionary field  in  Bengal ;  but  Dr.  Francke  ad- 
vised him  to  accept  it  temporarily,  as  their 
arrangements  for  sending  him  to  India  were 
not  yet  concluded,  and  there  were  some  ob- 
stacles yet  to  be  removed.  He  therefore  ac- 
cepted the  call  tendered  him  in  Lusatia,  and 
immediately  made  his  arrangements  for  enter- 
ing upon  his  duties.  He  first,  however,  visited 
Leipsic,  for  the  purpose  of  passing  through  the 
necessary  ordeal  preparatory  to  his  admission 
to  the  sacred  ministry.  Having  satisfactorily 
sustained  the  examination,  conducted  by  Drs. 
Deyling  and  Borner,  in  Greek,  Hebrew,  Re- 
pentance, Conversion,  Justification  by  Faith, 
and  other  articles  of  Christian  doctrine,  toge- 
ther with  the  history  of  the  Symbolical  books, 
he  was  permanently  invested  with  the  sacred 
ofiice.  In  watching  over  the  interests  of  the 
institution  at  Halle,  and  performing  some  pas- 
toral   labor,   he    continued   for   three    years, 


HENRY    MELCniOR   MUHLENBERG.       33 

faithfully  devoted  to  his  duties,  and  daily  gain- 
ing knowledge  and  experience. 

In  the  summer  of  1741,  whilst  he  was  en- 
gaged in  these  labors,  an  application  from  con- 
gregations in  Pennsylvania  reached  Halle  for  a 
minister  of  the  gospel  to  supply  the  great 
spiritual  destitution  that  prevailed.  The  at- 
tention of  the  authorities  was  immediately 
directed  to  Mr.  Muhlenberg  as  a  most  suitable 
person  for  this  extensive  and  uncultivated  field. 
When  he  received  the  unexpected  proposition, 
he  replied  w^ith  his  characteristic  devotion  to 
the  claims  of  his  Divine  Master,  "  that  it  was  a 
matter  of  indifference  to  him,  if  it  were  God's 
will,  as  a  servant  was  necessarily  dependent 
upon  the  wishes  of  his  Lord."  After  a  serious 
and  prayerful  examination  of  the  subject,  and 
consultation  with  friends  whose  judgment  he 
valued,  he  concluded  that  it  was  his  duty  to 
accept  the  call.  With  unshaken  confidence  in 
God,  he  is  willing  to  forsake  his  native  land,  to 
relinquish  the  comforts  of  home  and  the  society 
of  friends,  as  well  as  the  prospects  of  future  dis- 


34  MEMOIROF 

tiiiction  and  honor  to  which  a  mind  so  highly 
gifted  might  naturally  have  aspired,  and  to 
settle,  for  the  advancement  of  Christ's  king- 
dom, in  this  then  comparatively  wild  and 
inhospitable  region. 


CHAPTER  III. 

But  we  must  for  a  moment  interrupt  the 
thread  of  our  narrative,  for  the  purpose  of  giving 
the  reader  some  account  of  the  condition  of  the 
Church  in  Pennsylvania  preceding  Muhlen- 
berg's arrival.  Its  first  settlement  in  the 
State  was  made  soon  after  the  grant  of  the  pro- 
vince to  William  Penn,  in  1680;  and  the  tide 
of  immigration  increased  with  each  succeeding 
year.  Immense  multitudes  of  persecuted  and 
oppressed  Germans  flocked  to  this  promised 
land  in  search  of  a  home,  as  soon  as  the  ]Drin- 
ciples  of  the  new  government  became  known, 
and  it  was  understood  that  liberty  of  conscience 
and  protection  in  the  exercise  of  religious  opin- 
ions would  be  granted  to  those  who  acknow- 


HENRY    MELCIIIOR    MUHLENBERG.       OD 

ledged  one  God  and  lived  peaceably  in  the 
community ;  and  that  exemption  from  compul- 
sory attendance  on  the  services  of  the  sanctu- 
ary, or  from  the  maintenance  of  any  regular 
ministry,  would  be  guaranteed  to  every  citizen. 
Some  of  the  earlier  emigrants  brought  with 
them  pious  schoolmasters,  who  assembled  with 
them  on  the  Lord's  day,  and  read  the  Scrip- 
tures, together  with  "Arndt's  True  Christi- 
anity," and  other  devotional  books.  Occasion- 
ally also  a  clergyman  was  to  be  found  to  preach 
to  them  the  Word  of  Life,  and  to  give  them 
the  necessary  religious  instruction;  but  as  a 
general  rule,  their  spiritual  wants  were  disre- 
garded,—  their  condition  was  most  deplorable. 
The  flock  was  divided  and  scattered.  Those 
often  who  assumed  the  garb  of  the  shepherd 
were  men  without  knowledge,  and  of  immoral 
character,  self-constituted  pastors,  or  such  as 
had  been  suspended  from  the  ministry  at  home, 
and  engaged  in  the  work  from  mercenary  mo- 
tives. The  influence  of  this  state  of  things  was 
most  disastrous.     Deprived  of  the  advantages 


36  MEMOIR    OP 

of  a  regular  ministry,  many  of  our  members 
became  cold  and  indifferent  in  the  service  of 
God,  whilst  their  children  grew  up  uneducated 
and  hardened  in  sin.  English  instructors  found 
no  access  to  the  hearts  of  their  German  breth- 
ren, w^ho  clung  with  great  tenacity  to  their 
vernacular  language,  manners  and  customs,  and 
who,  for  this  reason,  frequently,  in  establishing 
colonies,  separated  themselves  some  distance 
from  the  English  population.  In  some  sections, 
however,  of  these  settlements,  those  who  were 
faithful  to  their  obligations,  formed  themselves 
into  congregations,  and  were  occasionally  sup- 
plied with  the  ordinances  of  religion  by  the 
ministers  of  the  Swedish  Lutheran  Church, 
whose  colony  had  settled  on  the  banks  of  the 
Delaware  as  early  as  1656.  This  colony  was 
in  a  flourishing  condition.  It  had  been  fur- 
nished by  the  mother  country  with  pastors,  and 
w^ith  funds  for  the  erection  of  houses  of  worship. 
When  our  members  applied  to  the  Swedish 
Ministerlum  for  help,  the  application  was  always 
received  with  favor;  those  of  the  brethren  who 


HENRY   MELCniOR   MUHLENBERG.       87 

were  familiar  with  the  German  kxnguagc, 
gladly  rendered  their  services,  and  ministered 
to  our  people  in  holy  things.  We  find  Fabri- 
cius,  the  blind  pastor  of  the  Church  at  Wicaco, 
from  1688  until  1691,  and  Dylander,  from  1737 
until  1741,  occasionally  officiating  for  their  Ger- 
man brethren  of  the  same  faith  in  Philadelphia. 
Comparatively  few,  however,  of  the  Swedes 
could  preach  in  the  German  language ;  besides, 
the  field  was  so  extensive,  that  our  members 
became  discouraged,  and  almost  began  to  des- 
pair. They  feared  that  unless  some  relief  was 
obtained  from  the  Fatherland,  their  destitution 
would  continue,  their  interest  in  religion  be  lost, 
and  their  Church,  in  the  course  of  time,  become 
entirely  extinct.  They  most  earnestly  desired 
the  watchful  care  of  a  faithful  shepherd,  who 
would  gather  them  together  into  the  fold, 
whence  many  had  wandered,  and  direct  their 
devotions  in  the  manner  to  which  they  had 
been  accustomed  from  childhood. 

As  early  as  the  year  1732,  a  correspondence 
was  entered  into  by  the  German  Lutherans  in 
4 


8  MEMOIR    OF 


Philadelphia  with  Dr.  Ziegenhagen,  the  Court 
preacher  in  London,  in  reference  to  the  condi- 
tion of  our  Church,  and  imploring  his  aid  in  an 
effort  to  obtain  funds,  and  to  secure  a  pastor. 
Petitions  were  likewise  forwarded  to  the  Theo- 
logical Faculties  of  Halle  and  Tiibigen,  appeal- 
ing to  their  sympathies  and  invoking  their 
interest.  Some  idea  of  the  destitution  that 
existed  may  be  learned  from  the  following 
communication  written  about  this  time,  by  Mr. 
Weissiger,  of  Philadelphia :  "  Living  in  a 
land,"  says  he,  "in  which  religious  opinions  are 
almost  countless,  and  being  deprived  of  that 
food  for  our  souls  w^hich  we  need,  and  being 
unable  to  find  ways  and  means  in  our  own 
community  to  supply  our  w^ants,  we  pray  God 
to  show  us  through  our  friends  abroad  what 
may  be  done  for  us.  The  great  body  of  our 
young  people,  bewildered  by  the  multitude  of 
opinions,  and  an  absolute  want  of  schools  and 
religious  instruction,  will  go  astray  and  be  led 
into  paths  of  error.  The  Lord,  the  searcher  of 
hearts  and  the  trier  of  the  reins,  alone  knows 


HENRY   MELCHIOR    MUHLENBERG.        39 

how  greatly  we  stand  in  need  of  the  assistance 
of  our  fellow  Christians,  and  that  in  asking  our 
friends  to  lift  collections  for  us,  we  have  no- 
thing else  in  view  but  the  honor  of  God  and 
the  spiritual  welfare  and  eternal  salvation  of 
our  fellow  men.  We  do  not  ask  for  such  con- 
tributions as  are  necessary  to  build  stately  edi- 
fices and  temples.  No  !  We  shall  be  fully 
satisfied  if  we  can  obtain  sufficient  aid  to  erect 
places  of  worship  in  different  parts  of  our  coun- 
try, where  we  may  meet  for  prayer  and  praise, 
and  for  the  religious  instruction  of  the  young. 
We  trust  that  a  merciful  God  will  not  forsake 
us,  but  will  excite  the  minds  of  our  Christian 
brethren  to  assist  us  in  our  great  spiritual  dis- 
tress; and  that  your  reverence  will  grant  us 
that  aid  which  we  so  much  need." 

Appeals  for  assistance  were  frequently  re- 
newed, and  numerous  letters,  on  the  subject  of 
pastoral  supplies,  interchanged.  The  spiritual 
desolation  of  Zion  in  this  Western  hemisphere 
did  move  the  hearts  of  our  European  brethren, 
as  we  have  seen,  and  awaken  the  deepest  sym- 


40  MEMOIR    OF 


jDathj, — the  most  lively  interest.  Something 
for  their  relief  would,  no  doubt,  have  been  done 
much  sooner,  but  no  one,  with  the  projoer  quali- 
fications, could  be  found,  willing  to  respond  to 
the  earnest  solicitation,  and  accept  the  impor- 
tant trust.  The  position,  too,  demanded  a 
union  of  qualities  rarely  found  in  one  indi- 
vidual. Difficulties  in  the  new  field  were  to  be 
adjusted,  —  dissensions  healed,  —  incompetent 
men,  who  had  gathered  together  congregations, 
were  to  be  removed  from  office, — influence  was 
to  be  exerted,  and  a  general  supervision  exer- 
cised over  all  the  interests  of  the  Church.  Al- 
though the  immediate  services  of  a  minister 
could  not  be  procured,  a  large  supply  of  the 
sacred  Scriptures,  hymn  books,  and  devotional 
manuals,  were  forwarded  to  the  destitute 
colonists. 

We  next  find  the  congregation  at  Providence 
uniting  with  the  Lutherans  of  Philadelphia  and 
New  Hanover  in  an  effort  to  obtain  regularly- 
ordained  ministers  from  Europe,  and  sending 
three  deputies  to   England  expressly  for  this 


HENRY   MELCIIIOR   MUHLENBERG.      41 

purpose.  Disappointed  again  and  again  in 
their  wishes,  they  still  felt  as  if  they  could  not 
abandon  a  project  most  dear  to  their  hearts. 
Warmly  attached  to  the  Church  in  which  they 
had  been  reared,  and  believing  that  something 
must  be  done  to  rescue  it  from  the  ruin  that 
impended,  they  determined  that  they  w^ould 
persevere  in  their  attempts  until  success 
crowned  their  efforts.  Their  wishes  were  at 
length  gratified, — their  prayers  answered,  and 
a  messenger  of  the  Cross,  eminently  qualified 
for  the  task,  was  secured. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

Mr.  Muhlenberg  having  felt  that  it  was  his 
duty  to  undertake  the  missionary  work  assigned 
him,  soon  began  to  make  preparations  for  leav- 
ing his  native  land.  Before  his  departure,  he 
visited  valued  friends  and  the  familiar  scenes 
of  his  boyhood,  gratefully  recalling  to  mind  the 
reminiscences  of  the  past,  and  confidently  anti- 
cipating his  happy  re-union  wdth  those  whom 


42  MEMOIR    OF 

he  loved  on  the  earth,  in  another  and  better 
world.     These  final  interviews  with  his  friends 
were  not  only  pleasant  to  him,  but  they  were 
profitable  to  his  soul.     They  were  long  and 
fondly  cherished  in  his  memory,  and  frequently 
referred  to  in  after  life.     In  allusion  to  one  of 
them,  he  remarks :  "  We  not  only  recounted 
the  wonderful  and  blessed  dealings  of  Provi- 
dence,   but    we    strengthened    one    another, 
and  refreshed  ourselves  with  prayer,  thanks- 
giving, and  praise."     It  was  a  severe  trial  for 
him  to  part  from  his  aged  mother ;  yet  he  felt 
that  he  was  in  the  path  of  duty,  and  that  God's 
grace  would  be  sufficient  for  him.     He  never 
distrusted  the  Divine  promise  ;  he  was  not  per- 
mitted to  despair.    "  The  Lord,"  he  says,  "had 
sympathy   with    my   sufferings,   and   directed 
everything  in  such  a  way  that  I  was  compelled 
silently  to  adore  and  to  ascribe  all  to  His  spe- 
cial providence  and  care." 

He  commenced  his  journey  in  the  spring  of 
1742,  passing  through  Holland  on  his  way  to 
Ensrland.     In  London,  he  met  with  a  cordial 


HENRY   MELCIIIOR   MUIILEXBERG.       43 

reception  from  Eev.  Dr.  Ziegenhagen,  Chaplain 
to  King  George  11.^  who  greatly  encouraged 
him  in  his  mission,  and  materially  aided  him 
in  his  object.  With  this  excellent  and  faithfid 
man  he  remained  nine  weeks,  diligently  im- 
proving his  time  in  seeking  additional  instruc- 
tion and  counsel  with  regard  to  his  future  du- 
ties. How  much  he  enjoyed  the  season  may 
be  inferred  from  the  following  memorandum  in 
his  journal :  "  The  time  was  entirely  too  short 
for  me,  and  the  questions  too  numerous,  upon 
which  I  w^ould  gladly  have  conversed  with 
him;  —  so  numerous  were  they  indeed,  that  I 
was  often  in  doubt  which  should  be  taken  first. 
The  consideration  of  these  subjects  caused  me 
greater  joy,  and  was  far  more  pleasing  to  me 
than  the  possession  of  jewels  or  many  pieces  of 
gold." 

The  necessary  arrangements  having  been 
completed,  the  subject  of  our  memoir  embarked 
for  America,  in  a  packet-boat  destined  for 
Georgia,  inasmuch  as  it  was  thought  expedient 
by  the  brethren  in  London  for  him  to  visit  the 


44  MEMOIR    OF 

colony  at  Ebenezer,  before  enteriDg  upon  Lis 
duties  in  Pennsylvania.  The  voyage,  which 
was  long  and  irksome,  was  rendered  still  more 
unpleasant  by  the  rude  and  wicked  company, 
and  the  sufferings  to  which  they  were  exposed 
by  the  want  of  water  and  fresh  provisions. 
During  the  whole  time,  Mr.  Muhlenberg  con- 
ducted himself  in  a  manner  becoming  a  minis- 
ter of  the  gospel ;  he  sought  every  opportunity 
in  his  power  to  benefit  his  fellow-passengers, 
and  constantly  endeavored  to  imitate  the  exam- 
ple of  Him  who  went  about  doing  good.  We 
find  him  deeply  interested  in  a  family  of  Salz- 
burgers,  refugees  from  religious  persecution, 
who  were  on  their  way  to  Ebenezer,  to  join 
their  brethren  who  had  already  preceded  them. 
He  explained  to  them  from  day  to  day  the 
sacred  volume, — united  with  them  at  the 
throne  of  Grace  in  prayer  and  praise,  and  in- 
structed their  children  in  the  Catechism.  At 
one  time  we  observe  him  conversing  with  a 
poor  Spaniard,  a  Koman  Catholic,  whom  he 
endeavored    to  brino:   under   the   infiuencc  of 


HENRY    MELCIIIOR   MUIILENBEKG.       45 

Divine  truth ;  —  at  another,  laboring  to  revive 
early  religious  instructions,  and  to  awaken  con- 
victions in  the  heart  of  one  who,  in  his  youth, 
had    been   piously  educated  by  his  f^ither  in 
Scotland,  but  who  had  strayed  far  from  virtue, 
and  was  living  with  "no   hope,  and   without 
God  in  the  world."     The  humblest  of  the  sea- 
men he  did  not  neglect ;  he  labored  to  reclaim 
all, — to  instruct  them  in  the  plan  of  salvation, 
and  to  bring  them  to  a  saving  acquaintance 
with  Him  who  is  "  the  way  and  the  truth  and 
the  life."     In  one  place  in  his  Journal,  he  re- 
marks :  "  I  conversed  to-day  with  some  of  the 
crew,  and   tried   to  explain  to  them  how  sad 
their   condition    was,    so   long    as    they    were 
estranged  from  God  by  wicked  works ;"  —  and 
in  another  place  he  says :  "  I  urged  upon  the 
English  passengers  the  necessity  of  a  radical 
change  in  their  life  by  the  exercise  of  faith  in 
the  crucified  Redeemer.      They  all  listened," 
he  tells  us,  "  with  attention,  admitted  the  truth 
of  my  statements,  and  thanked  me  for  my  in- 
structions.    But  how  difficult  it  is  to  produce 


46  MEMOIR    OF 

upon  the  minds  of  men  a  permanent  impression 
of  the  doctrine  of  regeneration.  The  many 
prejudices  which  darken  the  understanding — 
the  strong  influence  of  sinful  habits,  together 
with  riches,  worldly  prospects,  and  the  cares 
of  life,  are  powerful  hinderances  in  the  way." 
These  passages  are  introduced  for  the  purpose 
of  showing  that  he  continually  realized  the  re- 
sponsibility of  his  ofhce  as  an  ambassador  of 
Christ,  and  regarded  it  as  his  imperative  duty 
on  all  occasions  to  do  something  for  the  cause 
of  the  Redeemer.  They  also  breathe  a  most 
evangelical  spirit,  and  serve  to  illustrate  the 
piety  of  this  eminent  servant  of  God.  At  the 
earnest  request  of  the  Captain,  he  frequently 
performed  Divine  service  on  board,  preaching 
from  such  texts  as  these  :  "  If  any  man  thirst, 
let  him  come  unto  me  and  drink ;"  "  Blessed 
are  the  poor  in  spirit,  for  theirs  is  the  kingdom 
of  heaven  f  and  always  endeavoring  to  present 
practical  and  useful  truths  for  the  consideration 
of  liis  hearers.  Although  he  at  this  time  used 
the  English  language  imperfectly,  he  did  not 


HENRY    MELCIIIOR    MUHLENBERG.       47 

on  this  account  refuse  to  preach.  These  efforts 
to  do  good  were  not  in  vain.  They  were  accom- 
panied with  their  appropriate  reward.  "  My 
hearers,"  he  writes,  "  were  exceedingly  atten- 
tive, and  not  a  little  affected.  In  everything 
there  w^as  quiet,  and  some  were  even  heard  re- 
peating what  had  been  said,  which  is  a  rare 
occurrence  among  such  people."  During  the 
voyage,  he  also  read,  in  compliance  with  the 
wishes  of  the  Captain,  when  he  attended  to 
public  worship,  the  Episcopal  service  in  the 
Common  Prayer  Book,  remarking,  in  connex- 
ion :  "  One  dare  not  think  that  the  prayers 
contain  anything  which  is  inconsistent  with 
the  doctrines  of  the  Lutheran  Church  ;  for  they 
contain  valuable  truths  taken  from  the  Bible. 
Besides,  they  make  use  of  the  same  prayers 
and  services  in  the  German  Lutheran  Church 
at  London,  as  I  very  well  know,  for  I  heard 
them  read,  and  was  edified  by  them.  I  there- 
fore read  the  prayers  on  board  the  vessel,  and 
the  people  w^ere  pleased."  This  may  be  re- 
garded as  an  evidence  of  his  Christian  feeling 


48  MEMOIR    OF 

and  catholic  liberality, — disposed,  on  subjects 
of  minor  importance,  to  make  concessions,  and 
insisting  only  upon  those  principles  which  are 
fundamental.  He  was  often  much  annoyed  by 
the  profanity  and  foolish  jesting  he  witnessed 
during  the  voyage  on  board  the  vessel ;  yet  he 
reproved,  rebuked,  and  was  patient  with  all. 
His  faith  in  God  was  always  strong, — and  more 
than  once  did  he  suppose  that  direct  answer  was 
given  to  his  prayers.  On  one  occasion  he  says : 
"  Weary  of  life  in  such  a  lazaretto,  I  prayed  to 
my  Father  in  secret,  and  desired,  if  it  were  in 
accordance  with  his  will,  he  would  speedily 
send  us  a  favorable  wind,  to  confirm  my  faith 
in  a  particular  Providence,  and  put  to  shame 
those  who  w^ere  unbelieving.  The  next  day, 
wdien  I  awoke,  the  ship  was  in  rapid  motion, 
as  God,  in  his  mercy,  had  sent  a  fine  breeze, 
wdiich  incited  me  to  praise  His  name  and  trust 
His  goodness." 


UENRY   MELCIIIOR   MUHLENBERG.       49 

CHAPTER  V. 

Mr.  Muhlenberg  reached  Charleston,  S.  C, 
September  2 2d,  and,  according  to  his  instruc- 
tions, immediately  proceeded  to  Ebenezer,  for 
the  purpose  of  conferring  on  the  affairs  of  the 
Church  with  Rev.  Messrs.  Bolzius  and  Gronau, 
who,  with  a  colony  of  Lutherans,  had  esta- 
blished themselves  in  Georgia,  in  the  year  1734. 
These  emigrants  came  from  Salzburg,  formerly 
a  district  of  Bavaria,  but  at  present  a  detached 
province  of  Austria.  Oppressed  by  Romish  in- 
tolerance at  home,  they  sought  an  asylum  in 
this  country.  Having  left  their  native  land  for 
conscience'  sake,  they  were  willing  to  suffer 
imprisonment,  exile,  and  even  death,  rather 
than  surrender  their  religious  principles,  which 
they  valued  so  highly,  and  upon  which  they 
based  all  their  hopes  of  future  happiness. 
Great  w^as  the  joy  of  the  Salzburgers  to  behold 
the  face  of  this  herald  of  the  cross,  who  had 
come  hither  to  this  Western  world,  that  he 
might  gather  together  the  scattered  Germans 
5 


50  MEMOIR    OF 

in  the  Northern  provinces,  and  minister  to  their 
spiritual  necessities,  as  they  were  endeavoring 
to  do  in  the  south.  These  brethren  took  sweet 
counsel  together.  They  consecrated  themselves 
anew  to  the  service  of  the  Redeemer,  with  the 
resolution  to  be  more  fliithful  in  the  work  to 
which  they  had  devoted  themselves.  This 
covenant  they  ratified  by  partaking  together 
of  the  emblems  of  their  Saviour's  love  in  the 
Holy  Eucharist.  Mr.  Muhlenberg  departed  for 
the  scene  of  his  future  labors,  greatly  refreshed 
in  spirit  and  strengthened  for  the  work.  Pastor 
Gronau  refers  to  the  occasion  of  the  visit  in  the 
following  language :  "  Never  before  have  we 
spent  so  blessed  and  so  happy  a  season  at  Ebe- 
nezer.  For  the  Lord  had  never  before  permit- 
ted us  to  embrace  a  dear  friend  from  our  native 
country,  in  whom  we  found  a  real  brother  in 
Christ.  My  desire  and  hope  is,  that  our  con- 
nexion may  be  still  more  intimate,  and  that 
God  will  grant  his  blessing  to  the  labors  of  our 
brother,  so  that  through  the  preaching  of  tlie 
gospel,  a  church  may  be  built  up  in  Pennsyl- 


HENRY   MELCmOR   MUHLENBERG.        51 

vania,  with  which  we  can  join  hand  and 
heart." 

Mr.  Muhlenberg's  journey  was  continued, 
and  after  a  most  disagreeable  and  dangerous 
voyage  in  a  small  and  insecure  sloop,  with  no 
accommodations  for  passengers,  he  reached  Phi- 
Ladelphia,  November  28th,  1742.  ^  His  arrival 
was  a  source  of  inexpressible  joy  to  the  Ger- 
mans, who  had  been  so  long  and  so  anxiously 
expecting  him.  He  tells  us,  ''  that  he  met  with 
a  blessed  reception;  and  although  they  had 
been  many  years  without  a  regular  minister, 
and  were  beset  by  difficulties  on  all  sides,  he 
found  that  old  and  young  approached  him  with 
a  great  desire  to  be  instructed  in  the  word  of 
God ;  that  parents,  with  their  children,  and 
other  aged  persons,  came  to  be  prepared  for  the 
celebration  of  the  Lord's  Supper ;  and  that  the 
attention  and  interest  with  which  they  received 
religious  instruction,  caused  him  the  most  heart- 
felt gratification,  and  very  much  relieved  his 
heavy  burden." 

The  Church   was,  however,  in  a  wretched 


52  MEMO  IK    OF 

condition.  According  to  his  own  expression, 
it  was  not  plantata,  but  iilantanda.  There 
w^ere  at  the  time  three  distinct  organised  con- 
gregations, that  had  originally  united  in  extend- 
ing the  call.  One  w\as  in  Philadelphia,  quite 
small,  the  members  of  which  w^ere  in  indigent  i 
circumstances,  and  being  unable  to  erect  a 
place  for  public  worship,  had  joined  with  their 
Keformed  brethren  in  renting  and  fitting  up  a 
carpenter's  shop,  or,  according  to  others,  a  barn, 
for  Divine  service.  The  spring  preceding,  the 
congregation,  under  the  impression  that  an 
immediate  supply  from  Halle  could  not  be 
obtained,  had  given  an  invitation  to  Count 
Zinzindorf,  under  the  assumed  name  of  Thiir-  1 
stein,  with  wdiom  and  his  partisans  Muhlen- 
berg, on  his  arrival,  had  an  unpleasant  and 
protracted  struggle.  At  Providence  (the 
Trappe),  he  found  about  fifty  families,  but  there 
was  no  church  edifice.  The  congregation  had 
been  for  some  time  without  a  pastor,  as  they 
were  determined  to  have  none  other  than  a 
regularly  commissioned  minister.     They  w^ere 


HENRY   MELCIIIOR    MUHLENBERG.        6 


served  several  times  during  the  year  by  a  cler- 
gyman of  the  Swedish  Lutheran  Church. 
Muhlenberg  says  :  "  He  preached  at  first  here 
in  a  barn,  but  the  people  were  attentive  and 
hungered  after  the  word."  At  New  Hanover 
(the  Swamp),  the  congregation  consisted  of  one 
hundred  and  twenty  families,  who  worshipped 
in  a  log  building  yet  unfinished.  They  were, 
however,  in  a  most  lamentable  state.  Some  of 
the  members  rejoiced  that  Mr.  Muhlenberg  had 
come ;  others  were  not  entirely  satisfied,  as  they 
were  then  supplied  with  a  self-constituted  pas- 
tor, who  had  stolen  into  the  fold,  whom  they 
thought  it  would  be  wrong  to  dismiss.  "  He 
could  still  preach,"  said  they,  "  very  well,  even 
if  he  were  not  ordained,  and  did  sometimes  get 
under  the  influence  of  intoxicating  drinks ; 
they  had  been  deceived  before, — they  might  be 
deceived  again." 

Objections  being  at  length  withdrawn,  Mr. 

Muhlenberg   assumed  the  care  of  the  united 

charge  that  had  given  the  original  invitation, 

and  soon  entered  upon  his  duties,  preaching  his 

5* 


54  MEMOIROF 

first  sermon  from  the  words  :  '-  Now,  then,  we 
are  ambassadors  for  Christ,  as  though  God  did 
beseech  you  by  us;  we  pray  you  in  Christ's 
stead,  be  ye  reconciled  to  God."  The  first  ten 
years  of  his  ministry  in  this  country  he  resided 
in  Philadelphia.  His  congregations  w^ere  re- 
mote from  one  another,  and  he  necessarily 
served  them  under  disadvantageous  circum- 
stances, until  additional  aid  from  Europe  was 
secured ;  yet  all  the  energies  of  his  body  and 
the  fliculties  of  his  mind  were  devoted  to  the 
great  object  that  had  brought  him  hither,  build- 
ing up  the  Church  and  bringing  souls  to  Christ. 
His  motto  was,  ''Memento  liodle  mori ;'  and 
under  the  influence  of  this  sentiment,  he  con- 
tinually acted.  He  labored  wdth  comprehen- 
sive and  w^ell-directed  views  for  the  benefit  of 
our  whole  Zion,  and  not  without  the  most  gra- 
tifying evidence  of  the  Divine  presence.  There 
was  much  to  discourage  his  heart,  perplex  his 
mind,  and  embarrass  his  plans ;  but  his  spirits 
never  failed  him,  —  his  confidence  in  God  re- 
mained   unshaken.     Many  of  the    difficulties 


HENRY   MELCIIIOR   MUHLENBERG.        55 

which  lay  in  his  path  were  removed  by  his 
judicious  measures  and  patient  efforts.     His 
early  training  and  previous  discipline  he  found 
invaluable  for  the  various  exigencies  in  which 
he  was  placed.    His  duties  were  numerous  and 
arduous,  but  they  were  discharged  with  con- 
scientious fidelity  and  unwearied  application, 
and  amidst   perils   and  difficulties,  trials  and 
exposures,  at  the  present  day  scarcely  credible. 
In    his   correspondence  with    the  brethren  at 
Halle,  he  represents  the  condition  of  things  as 
most  deplorable.     He  writes :  "  Here  are  thou- 
sands, who,  by  birth,  education,  and  confirma- 
tion, ought  to  belong  to  our  church,  but  they 
are  scattered  to  the  four  winds  of  heaven.    The 
spiritual  state  of  our  people  is  so  wretched  as 
to  cause  us  to  shed  tears  in  abundance.     The 
young   people   have   grown    up   without   any\ 
knowledge  of  religion,  and  are  fast  running  into  | 
heathenism."    The  ignorance  among  the  youth! 
seemed  to  distress  him  very  much.     Very  few 
of  them  were  able  to  read,  and  suitable  teachers 
could  not  be  procured.     He  himself  found  it 


56  MEMOIROF 

necessary  to  give  instruction  in  the  most  ele- 
mentary branches.  Keferring  to  this  subject  in 
a  letter  written  in  1743,  he  thus  speaks: 
"  Necessity  has  compelled  me  to  become  a 
teacher  of  children.  One  week  I  keep  school 
in  Philadelphia,  the  next  in  Providence,  and 
the  third  in  New  Hanover ;  and  I  think  God's 
grace  is  visiting  us.  If  affairs  had  remained  a 
\  few  3^ears  longer  in  the  same  state  in  which  I 
found  them,  our  poor  Lutherans  would  have 
suffered  irretrievably.  There  are  found  here 
almost  innumerable  systems,  opinions,  and 
temptations.  Atheists,  Deists,  and  Material- 
ists meet  you  on  every  side.  It  seems  to  me 
there  is  not  a  sect  in  the  world  which  is  not 
fostered  here.  You  meet  with  persons  from 
nearly  every  nation  in  the  world.  What  would 
not  be  tolerated  in  Europe,  finds  full  license 
here.  God  and  his  word  are  openly  blas- 
phemed—  his  ordinances  neglected,  and  his 
worship  despised." 

Notwithstanding  his  multiplied  and  arduous 
labors,  Mr.  Muhlenberg  consented  to  take 
charge   of  the    congregation    at  Germantowny 


HENRY   MELCIIIOll   MUIILENBEKG.       57 

^vliich  had  been  organized  in  1737,  and  fur 
whom  Rev.  John  Dy Lander,  a  Swedish  Luthe- 
ran minister,  had,  from  time  to  time,  been 
preaching  and  performing  pastoral  labor. 
Here  he  officiated  on  a  week-day ;  the  rest  of 
the  week  he  usually  spent  in  Philadelphia. 
The  services  of  the  sanctuary  were,  however, 
well  attended,  and  the  flivor  of  Heaven  rested 
upon  his  efforts.  In  a  communication  found 
in  the  HalUsche  Nachricltten  oi  1743,  he  says: 
"  The  Lord  adds  some  blessing  to  my  labors 
at  Germantown.  The  word  does  not  return 
void.  Those  who  have  been  received  into  the 
church  continue,  through  the  grace  of  God,  to 
grow  steadily  and  to  bear  fruit.  I  recently 
baptized  a  mother  and  five  adult  children. 
They  were  so  deeply  affected  that  I  might 
almost  have  baptized  them  with  their  tears. 
The  Gospel  also  has,  among  others,  won  an 
old  grey-headed  man,  and  brought  him  to  a 
saving  acquaintance  with  the  Saviour." 

In  addition  to  his  regular  charge,  Mr.  Muh- 
lenberg visited  those  points  in  our  country  in 
which  he  ascertained  that  there  were  mem- 


58  MEMOIROF 

bers  of  the  Lutheran  Church  unsupplied  with 
spiritual  ministrations.  An  interesting  account 
of  such  a  visit,  made  in  1745,  to  Chester,  is 
preserved.  He  preached  to  these  Germans, 
and  formed  them  into  a  regular  congregation. 
As  he  was  unable  to  serve  them  as  pastor,  he 
exhorted  them  to  assemble  on  the  Lord's  day  for 
singing,  prayer,  and  the  reading  of  a  sermon, 
at  the  same  time  promising  to  let  them  have 
a  volume  of  suitable  discourses.  He  says : 
"  They  stood  around  me  and  wept  like  child- 
ren, or  rather,  they  approached  me  like  a  flock 
of  sheep,  that  had  lost  their  shepherd  and  had 
found  him  again." 

Preparations  for  erecting  several  churches 
were  made  soon  after  Mr.  Muhlenberg's  arrival. 
Li  the  spring  of  1743,  the  corner-stone  of  St. 
Michael's  Church,  in  Philadelphia,  was  laid,  and 
the  following  autumn  the  first  services  were 
held  in  it.  At  Providence  a  house  for  religious 
worship  was  built  the  same  year.  Funds  re- 
ceived from  Germany  were  devoted  to  this 
object,  and  these  resources  failing,  he  hesitated 


HENRY   MELCIIIOR   MUHLENBERG.       59 

not,  in  reliance  on  the  divine  aid,  to  contract 
debt  for  tiie  completion  of  the  edifice. 

In  the  winter  of  1745,  the  heart  of  Mr.  Muh- 
lenberg was  cheered  by  the  arrival  of  additional 
laborers  for  this  vineyard  of  the   Lord.      In 
answer  to  his  earnest  and  repeated  supplica- 
tions for  aid,  a  reinforcement  to  the  field  was 
sent  from  Halle  by  those  who  deeply  sympa- 
thized with  him  in  his  missionary  labors,  and 
who  from  the  beginning  had  desired  to  procure 
for  him  an  associate  in  his  important  work. 
/The  company  consisted  of  Rev.  Peter  Brunn- 
holtz  and  Messrs.  J.  N.  Kurtz  and  J.  H.  Schaum. 
Tiie  latter  two  came  in  the  capacity  o^ catecliists^ 
with  the  expectation  of  devoting  their  attention, 
for  some  time,  to  the  business  of  teaching,  and 
of  thus  removing  an  impediment  to  the  success 
of  the  Gospel.      They  were  also  to  assist  in 
preaching  and  rendering  other  ministerial  ser- 
vice, under  the  direction  of  the  ordained  pastors. 
It  was  a  part  of  our  earlier  system  to  connect 
the  teacher,  who  was  generally  well  educated, 
and  selected  for  his  piety,  with  the  minister  in 


60  MEMOIR    OF 

all  our  congregations.  Wherever  there  was  a 
church,  it  was  the  practice  of  our  fathers  to 
plant  a  school.  This  was  under  the  control 
of  the  church,  and  proved  a  valuable  auxiliary 
in  advancing  its  interests.'  It  was  considered 
,{  essential  to  educate  the  children  of  the  church 
in  the  principles  of  the  Christian  religion,  as 
I  well  as  to  furnish  them  with  secular  instruction. 
I  Happy  had  it  been  for  our  communion  if  this 
practice  had  never  been  abandoned  —  if  this 
feature,  peculiar  to  our  ecclesiastical  arrange- 
ments, had  never  been  surrendered ! 

Mr.  Brunnholtz  now  became  co-j^astor  of  the 
four  associated  congregations,  and,  in  conse- 
quence of  his  delicate  constitution  and  feeble 
health,  took  up  his  abode  in  the  city,  the 
churches  in  Philadelphia  and  Germantown  be- 
ing more  immediately  committed  to  his  care ; 
whilst  Dr.  Muhlenberg  magnanimously  assumed 
the  more  laborious  duties  connected  at  tliat 
time  with  a  residence  in  the  country.  Mr. 
Kurtz  took  charge  of  the  school  in  New  Han- 
over, and  Mr.  Schaum  of  the  one  in  Philadel- 
phia.    These  pioneers  in  our  church  were  all 


HENRY    MELCIIIOR    M  U  IIL  E  NE  E  li  G  .       01 

indefatigable  in  their  labors.  Numerous  and 
arduous  were  the  difficulties  with  which  they 
had  to  contend  —  formidable  the  obstacles  they 
had  to  surmount,  in  planting  the  church  in 
this  western  land.  The  country  was  fertile, 
but  unimproved  ;  the  houses  were  few  and  far 
between ;  there  were  no  turnpike-roads,  no 
bridges,  no  conveniences  for  travellers ;  the 
roads  led  through  forests,  which  abounded 
with  wild  beasts,  and  the  still  more  hostile 
aborigines  of  the  country,  who  often  lay  in  wait 
with  the  tomahawk  and  scalping-knife  to  mas- 
sacre the  European.  The  services  of  the  sanc- 
tuary, in  some  sections,  were  often  conducted 
even  at  the  imminent  risk  of  life  itself.  Durins* 
the  hours  of  public  worship,  the  officers  stood 
at  the  church  doors,  armed  with  defensive  wea- 
pons, to  prevent  surprise,  and,  if  necessary,  to 
protect  minister  and  people  from  an  unexpected 
and  ruthless  attack.  It  is  stated,  in  a  letter 
written  by  one  of  the  brethren  about  this  time, 
that  on  one  day  the  bodies  of  not  less  than 
seven  members  of  his  congregation  were  brought 
to  the  church,  having  been  murdered  by  the 
6 


62  MEMOIR    OF 

Indians  the  evening  before.  Being  anxious  to 
improve  the  solemn  occasion  to  the  spiritual 
welfare  of  his  hearers,  he  postponed  the  inter- 
ment until  the  succeeding  day,  and  suffered 
the  mangled  bodies  to  remain  in  the  church 
until  the  congregation  convened.  Our  own 
population,  too,  was  very  unsettled;  ministe- 
rial support  was  inadequate,  and  frequently,  in 
the  discharge  of  duty^  the  most  violent  oppo- 
sition had  to  be  encountered.  God,  in  his 
goodness,  raised  up  for  the  times  the  very  men 
that  were  needed !  Their  Christian  heroism — 
their  energetic  devotion  to  the  principles  they 
professed  —  their  laborious,  faithful,  self-deny- 
ing efforts  for  the  salvation  of  souls,  and  the 
promotion  of  God's  glory,  made  a  deep  impres- 
sion upon  the  community,  and  secured  for  them 
the  general  confidence  and  warm  regard  of  their 
cotemporaries.  Of  them  it  may  be  truly  said, 
"  In  journeyings  often,  in  perils  of  waters,  in 
l^erils  of  robbers,  in  perils  of  their  own  coun- 
trymen, in  perils  by  the  heathen,  in  perils  in 
the  city,  in  perils  in  the  wilderness,  in  perils 
in  the  sea,  in  perils  among  false  brethren  -,  in 


HENRY    MELCIIIOR   MUHLENBERG.       G3 

weariness  and  painfalness,  in  watchings  often, 
in  hunger  and  thirst,  in  fastings  often,  in  cold 
and  nakedness."  They  preached  in  season  and 
out  of  season,  in  churches,  in  private  dwellings, 
in  barns,  and  in  the  open  air,  wholly  absorbed 
in  the  work  to  which  they  believed  they  had 
been  called,  and  earnestly  laboring  for  the  ele- 
vation of  their  countrymen  and  the  extension 
of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom.  How  beautiful  is 
the  narrative  of  their  hopes  and  their  fears, 
their  toils  and  successes !  The  little  one  be- 
came a  thousand  —  the  lights  kindled  by  their 
ministrations  will  never  be  extinguished ! 


CHAPTER   VI. 

But  to  resume  our  sketch.  Dr.  Muhlenberg's 
residence,  from  the  year  1745  until  1761,  was 
at  Providence.  To  this  congregation,  and  the 
one  at  New  Hanover,  he  directed  the  most  of 
his  attention.  Yet  his  labors  were  very  far 
from  being  confined  to  those  two  places.  His 
duties,  in  many  respects,  resembled  those  of  an 
itinerant  bishop,  whose  diocese  embraced  a  con- 


64  MEMOIR    OF 

siderable  space  of  territory.  Frequently^  lie 
undertook  distant  and  irksome  journeys,  for 
the  purpose  of  gathering  together  the  scattered 
flock,  i^reaching  to  destitute  congregations, 
adjusting  church  difficulties,  restoring  peace 
among  the  brethren,  introducing  wholesome 
discipline  for  the  government  of  churches,  en- 
couraging and  stimulating  feeble  congregations, 
and  performing  other  kind  services,  in  his  de- 
sire to  repair  the  waste  places  of  Zion,  and 
promote  the  cause  of  genuine  piety.  "  No  one," 
says  Dr.  Helmuth,  "  can  think  of  the  immense 
amount  of  labor  he  accomplished,  and  that,  too, 
with  the  greatest  willingness,  without  being 
greatly  surprised."  The  care  of  all  the  churches 
seemed  to  rest  upon  him.  If  any  serious  diffi- 
culty anywhere  existed,  his  aid  was  imme- 
diately invoked,  his  counsel  earnestly  sought. 
He  had  the  confidence  of  our  people.  His  pre- 
sence at  once  inspired  hope.  His  opinions  were 
valued,  and  the  influence  which  he  exerted  was 
boundless  and  unprecedented.  He  frequently 
labored  in  New  York,  in  Lancaster,  York,  and 
other  points  in  Pennsylvania,  as  well  as  occa- 


HENRY   MELCIIIOR   MUHLENBERG.       65 

sionally  in  the  States  of  New  Jersey,  Maryland, 
and  Georgia.  There  was  probably  not  a  Luthe- 
ran Church,  in  his  day,  in  this  country  in  which 
he  had  not  officiated.  Sometimes  these  mis- 
sionary tours  required  an  absence  from  home 
for  several  months,  and  subjected  him  to  con- 
siderable personal  inconvenience,  and,  at  times, 
exposed  him  to  no  little  abuse  and  censure,  yet 
he  cheerfully  submitted  to  all.  No  murmur 
escaped  his  lips.  He  was  willing  to  make  any 
sacrifice,  endure  any  suffering,  incur  any  re- 
proach, and  render  any  service,  however  toil- 
some and  painful,  that  he  might  advance  his 
mission  and  bring  souls  to  Christ.  He  never 
shrank  from  any  labor;  he  never  grew  w^eary 
in  w^ell-doing.  In  visiting  the  cities  of  New 
York  and  Rhinebeck,  although  at  the  time  in 
feeble  health,  he  travelled  on  horseback  a  dis- 
tance of  more  than  two  hundred  miles,  through 
dense  forests  and  deep  morasses,  and  consented 
to  be  absent  from  his  family  and  his  own  pas- 
toral charge  for  many  weeks,  because  the  inte- 
rests of  our  church  in  that  region  demanded 
6* 


66  MEMOIROF 

his  presence.  Two  trips  were  made  by  him  to 
the  State  of  New  York  in  two  consecutive  years 
for  the  benefit  of  our  people.  His  services  were 
appreciated  j  his  labors  proved  most  beneficial. 
Our  members  became  very  much  attached  to 
him  during  his  temporary  sojourn  among  them. 
With  unaffected  reluctance  thev  consented  to 
his  departure ;  wath  tears  they  besought  him  to 
transfer  his  abode  and  locate  permanently  in 
their  midst.  The  question  he  referred  to  the 
fathers  at  Halle;  but  as  his  removal  from  Penn- 
sylvania did  not  meet  with  their  approval,  he 
at  once  declined  the  proposition. 

In  the  spring  of  1748,  an  addition  was  made 
to  our  laborers  in  the  person  of  Rev.  J.  F.  Hand- 
schuh,  also  commissioned  by  Dr.  Ziegenhagen, 
of  London,  and  Professor  Francke,  of  Halle. 
He  was  welcomed  by  Dr.  Muhlenberg  with  the 
words,  "They  that  sow  in  tears  shall  reap  in 
joy."  He,  for  a  time,  took  charge  of  the  vacant 
congregation  in  Lancaster,  but  subsequently  he 
became  associated  with  the  brethren  in  Phila- 
delphia. 

In  obedience  to  the  recommendation  of  the 
Theological  Faculty  at  Halle,  the  first  Lutheran 


HENRY   MELCIIIOR   MUHLENBERG.        G7 

Synod  in  America  was  organized  August  14 tb, 
1748,  for  the  purpose  of  examining  and  ordain- 
ing ministerial  candidates  already  engaged  in 
the  service  of  the  Church  —  of  advancing  the 
general  interests  of  the  Lutheran  congregations 
in  the  American  colonies  —  of  devising  ways 
and  means  for  supplying  the  Germans  dispersed 
through  the  land  with  the  preached  word,  and 
of  imparting  greater  efficiency  to  the  labors  of 
the  ministry.  At  this  synodical  convention, 
there  were  in  attendance  six  clergymen ;  viz., 
Messrs.  Muhlenberg,  Brunnholtz,  Handschuh, 
Hartwig,  Provost  Sandin,  and  Magister  Nses- 
man.  The  last  two  were  of  the  Swedish  Luthe- 
ran Church.  They,  however,  participated  in 
the  discussions  and  business  of  the  convention. 
Rev.  Dr.  Muhlenberg  was  chosen  as  the  presi- 
dent of  the  synod.  At  this  meeting  there 
were  also  lay-delegates  present,  who  were  re- 
ceived as  members  and  took  part  in  the  pro- 
ceedings. In  the  organization  of  the  synod,  a 
very  liberal  form  of  Church  government  was 
adopted,  similar  in  many  of  its  features  to  the 
Congregational  system.  Its  prominent  charac- 
teristics were  the  parity  of  the  ministry,  the 


G8  MEMOIR    OF 

co-operation  of  the  laity  in  the  administration 
of  the  church,  and  the  voluntary  convention 
of  synod.  At  this  meeting  of  the  synod,  Mr. 
Kurtz  was  permanently  invested  with  the  sacred 
office.  After  his  examination,  his  call  was 
signed  by  the  elders  and  deacons  of  the  con- 
gregation which  he  had  been  serving.  Mr. 
Schaum  was  not  ordained  till  the  following 
year,  in  consequence  of  his  remoteness  at  the 
time  from  Philadelphia,  and  the  difficulty,  at 
that  period,  of  reaching  it.  There  were,  it  is 
said,  at  this  period,  only  eleven  ordained  clergy- 
men to  minister  to  our  forty  organized  congre- 
gations, whilst  the  Lutheran  population  was 
estimated  at  sixty  thousand,  dispersed  over  a 
large  extent  of  ground.  The  number  of  minis- 
ters did  not  increase  with  the  growth  of  the 
population,  from  the  fact  that  we  were  almost 
entirely  dependent  upon  our  European  brethren 
for  any  additions  to  the  ranks.  We  had  no 
facilities  for  educating  young  men  in  our  own 
land.  Those  who  desired  to  prepare  for  the 
work,  were  compelled  to  go  all  the  way  to  Ger- 
many to  receive  the  necessary  instruction.  Dr. 
Muhlenberg  from  the  beginning  advocated  the 


HENRY   MELCIIIOrt    MUHLENBERG.        GO 

^  necessity  of  establishing  a  literary  and  tlicolo- 
gical  institution,  that  the  Church  might  be  pro- 
vided with  an  educated  ministry.    Dr.  Freyling- 
/  hausen  says,  ^^he  often  expressed  his  earnest 

-  y  desire  that  the  vast  and  increasing  multitude 
of  German  Lutherans  in  North  America  might 
be  better  provided  for  in  reference  to  their  reli- 
gious instruction.  He  is  convinced  that  the 
present  arrangements  are  insufficient,  and  that 
a  seminary  ought  to  be  established  to  train  up 
laborers  to  publish  the  doctrines  of  the  Gospel. 
But  the  difficulty  is  that  the  greater  part  of  our 
congregations  are  burdened  with  debt,  and  are 

'  unable  to  contribute  to  such  an  enterprise." 
Under  the  circumstances,  however,  he  really  did 
better  than  could  have   been   expected.      The 

I  Church  prospered.  The  efforts  of  our  patriarchs 
w^ere  successful.  Their  efforts  were  accompanied 
with  God's  blessing.  Many  manifest  seals  were 
given  to  their  ministry. 

I  In  1749,  the  first  edition  of  Luther's  Cate- 
chism, published  in  this  country,  was  issued 
from  the  press.  It  was  printed  in  Philadelphia 
at  the  office  of  Benjamin  Franklin.  In  1754, 
the  Kirchen  Agende  was  prepared  by  Dr.  Muh- 


70  MEMOIR    OF 

lenberg.  This  is  a  brief  directory  for  public 
worship,  and  was  designed  to  secure  uniformity 
in  the  services  of  the  Church.  In  the  prepara- 
tion of  this  document,  the  formula  of  the  Ger- 
man Lutheran  Church  in  London  was  used  as 
a  basis.  Accessions  to  the  ministry  became 
from  time  to  time  more  frequent;  almost  all 
were  from  the  institutions  at  Halle,  —  men  of 
rare  excellence,  of  fervent,  practical  piety,  who 
evinced  the  sincerity  of  their  principles  by  their 
blameless  life  and  active  benevolence.  Kev.  F. 
Shulze  and  Rev.  M.  Heintzelman  reached  our 
shores  in  1751 ;  Rev.  J.  L.  Yoigt  and  Rev.  J.  A. 
Krug,  in  1764;  Rev.  C.  E.  Schultze,  in  1765; 
Rev.  J.  H.  Helmuth  and  Rev.  J.  F.  Schmidt,  in 
1769  ;  Rev.  J.  C.  Kunze,  in  1770,  together  with 
two  sons  of  Dr.  Muhlenberg,  who  had  gone 
abroad  to  prosecute  their  preparations  for  the 
ministry.  Others  also  came,  less  known  to  fame, 
but  equally  deserving  of  our  veneration  and 
gratitude. 


CHAPTER  YII. 

In  the  year  1761,  the  subject  of  our  Memoir 
again  took  up   his  residence   in   Philadelphia. 


HENRY   MELCIIIOR    MUHLENBERG.         71 

The  state  of  things  in  the  congregation  was  such 
as  to  render  his  presence  necessary.  Here  he 
remained  until  1776.  During  this  period,  his 
labors  were  devoted  almost  exclusively  to  the 
congregation  in  the  city, — the  church  at  Provi- 
dence, however,  still  claiming  him  as  its  pastor, 
and  placing  a  very  high  estimate  upon  his  worth 
and  service.  But  this  was  the  concurrent  testi- 
mony. His  services  were  considered  invaluable ; 
liis  influence  was  everywhere  most  healthful. 
Says  one,  who  was  often  at  this  time  brought  in 
contact  with  him,  "  We  are  more  than  asto- 
nished at  his  patience,  his  long  suffering,  his 
meekness  under  injuries,  his  love  of  his  ene- 
mies." What  a  rebuke  is  this  testimony  to  many 
w^ho,  in  these  days,  minister  at  the  altar !  How 
often  do  we  all,  in  our  intercourse  with  others, 
seem  to  forget  the  temper  and  spirit  becoming 
the  Christian,  so  deserving  of  watchful  and  con- 
stant attention,  and  thus  bring  reproach  upon  a 
cause  we  profess  to  love,  and  whose  interests  we 
desire  to  promote.  "  Know  ye  not,"  saith  the 
Apostle,  "  that  ye  are  the  temple  of  God,  and 
that  the  Spirit  of  God  dwelleth  in  you  ?" 

On  the  death  of  Mr.  Handschuh,  in  1764,  the 


72  M  E  M  0  I  R    0  F 

care  and  labor  of  the  whole  congregation  in  Phi- 
ladelphia devolved  upon  Dr.  Muhlenberg.  The 
duties  were  most  onerous,  and  at  this  time  the 
propriety  of  a  division  of  the  congregation  was 
discussed.  The  necessity  of  the  measure  w^as 
obviated  by  the  seasonable  arrival  of  Eev.  C.  E. 
Schultze,  the  following  year,  from  Halle,  who 
was  immediately  elected  second  minister  of  the 
congregation.  For  several  years  these  brethren 
labored  most  harmoniously  together  in  building 
up  our  Church  in  Philadelphia,  and  in  advanc- 
ing the  interests  of  Christ's  kingdom.  In  1766, 
was  laid  the  corner-stone  of  Zion's  Church,  which 
was  dedicated  to  the  Triune  God,  June  25th, 
1769.  This  was  considered,  at  the  time  of  its 
erection,  the  largest  and  most  elegant  church  in 
the  United  States.  This  same  edifice,  during 
our  Revolutionary  struggle,  when  Philadelphia 
was  in  the  possession  of  the  British,  w^as  con- 
verted into  a  hospital  for  the  sick, — wdiilst  St. 
Michael's  was  used  as  a  garrison  church.  Aftei 
the  surrender  of  Cornwallis  at  Yorktown,  Con- 
gress repaired  in  a  body  to  this  church,  to  express 
their  grateful  acknowledgments  to  Almighty 
God  for  the  victory  that  had  been  achieved,  and 


HENRY   MELCIIIOR   MUHLENBEIlG.        73 

the  triumphant  success  of  the  American  arms. 
Something  of  the  spirit  of  our  fathers  may  be 
learned  from  the  conchiding  paragraph  contained 
in  the  document  deposited  in  the  corner-stone 
of  Zion's  Church.  It  is  addressed  to  posterity, 
and  will  no  doubt  be  read  with  interest :  "And 
now,  dear  children,  and  children's  children,  we 
commend  you  to  God  and  the  word  of  His  grace, 
wdio  is  mighty  to  build  you  up,  and  to  give  you 
an  inheritance  among  all  who  are  sanctified.  We 
confidently  trust  that  we  are  not  guilty  of  your 
blood,  if  you  neglect  your  salvation  in  the  wil- 
derness of  this  w^orld.  Observe  diligently  and 
carefully  your  church  regulations,  that  in  virtue 
of  them  you  may  always  be  provided  with  pas- 
tors and  teachers,  who  take  heed  to  themselves 
and  the  flock,  over  which  the  Holy  Ghost  shall 
have  set  them  as  overseers,  that  they  may  feed 
the  Church  of  God,  which  he  has  purchased  with 
his  own  blood;  and  act  towards  these  your 
teachers  so  that  they  may  discharge  their  duties 
with  joy,  and  not  wdth  grief.  Take  heed  also, 
through  the  Grace  of  God,  and  the  means  of  his 
grace,  that  you  may  become  and  abide  fruitful 
branches  in  Christ,  the  true  Vine,  —  children  of 
7 


74  MEMOIE    OF 

light,- — members  of  his  spiritual  body,  and  living 
stones  of  the  Heavenly  Zion.  Sutler  no  discord 
or  party  spirit  to  arise  among  you,  but  quench 
its  first  appearance  with  Christian  love  and 
mildness.  Act  kindly  and  neighborly  towards 
the  members  of  our  sister  churches,  and  do  to 
them  as  you  wish  that  they  should  do  to  you. 
Hold  fast  what  you  have,  that  no  one  may  take 
your  crown.  Let  the  mind  be  in  you  which  was 
in  Christ  Jesus,  and  walk  as  he  walked.  And 
if,  in  following  him,  you  are  tempted  by  trials 
and  sufferings,  think  it  not  strange,  but  rejoice 
when  you  suffer  with  Christ,  —  so  that,  in  the 
revelation  of  his  glory,  you  may  have  everlast- 
ing joy.  Now  to  the  God  of  peace,  that  brought 
you  from  the  dead,  our  Lord  Jesus,  the  great 
Shepherd  of  the  sheep,  through  the  blood  of  the 
everlasting  covenant,  make  you  perfect  in  every 
good  work  to  do  his  will,  working  in  you  that 
which  is  well  pleasing  in  his  sight,  through  Jesus 
Christ,  to  whom  be  glory  for  ever  and  ever." 

Dr.  Muhlenberg  continued  to  labor  in  Phila- 
delphia for  fifteen  years,  greatly  beloved  by  his 
congregation,  and  held  in  the  highest  esteem  by 
the    whole  community^  —  faithfully  doing  the 


HENRY   MELCniOR   MUHLENBERG.  75 

work  of  his  Master,  and  gathering  in  many  tro- 
phies of  redeeming  grace.  During  this  period, 
there  was  only  one  missionary  journey  of  any 
length  performed  by  him ;  that  was  in  the  year 
1774,  when  he  had  in  his  congregational  labors 
the  assistance  of  Dr.  Kunze,  and  also  of  his 
youngest  son,  who  had,  a  few  years  before,  com- 
pleted his  studies  abroad.  This  mission  was 
undertaken  at  the  request  of  the  Fathers  at 
Halle,  with  the  view  of  bringing  about  an  ami- 
cable adjustment  of  the  unhappy  difficulty  that 
existed  among  brethren  at  Ebenezer,  and  of  re- 
storing harmony  in  the  Church.  The  judicious 
efforts  of  Dr.  Muhlenberg  to  heal  the  breach 
between  Messrs.  Kobenhorst  and  Triebner  were 
not  in  vain.  He  carefully  investigated  the  ques- 
tions of  dispute,  and  disposed  of  the  case  with 
great  prudence.  His  first  step  was  to  have  a 
personal  interview  with  the  disaffected  parties, 
and  then  to  request  each  one  to  present  him 
with  a  written  statement  of  his  grievances. 
After  the  examination  of  which,  he  told  them 
that  they  should  bury  all  their  former  animosi- 
ties and  contentions,  and  cordially  forgive  each 
other,  as  there  were  faults  on  both  sides.     "  I 


76  MEMOIROF 

liad/'  says  he,  "  advised  my  brother  Triebner 
how,  with  few  words,  he  might  end  the  compli- 
cated and  perplexing  strife,  if  he  would  say 
before  the  meeting,  '  I  have  erred,  and  ask  your 
cordial  forgiveness,  —  and  wherein  you  have 
wronged  me,  that  I  Avill  forgive  with  all  my 
heart,  and  forget.'  For,  under  all  the  circum- 
stances, I  could  learn  that  in  many  things  he 
had  acted  unreasonably,  not  according  to  grace, 
but  according  to  our  depraved  nature.  I  iold 
him  that  even  a  subject  of  Divine  grace  carried 
within  his  breast  the  root  or  seed  of  evil ;  and 
if  he  watched  not  over  his  heart,  he  could  soon 
be  overtaken  in  a  fault ;  —  that  we  were  also 
commanded  to  abstain  from  the  very  appearance 
of  evil.  I  also  stated  that  duty  as  well  as  love 
had  induced  me  to  undertake  the  fatiguing  jour- 
ney, that,  with  the  help  of  God,  peace  and  unity 
might  be  restored ;  but  if  they  were  determined 
to  continue  in  discord,  then  my  visit  and  experi- 
ment had  ended,  —  and  that  to-morrow,  with  a 
sad  and  heavy  heart,  I  would  depart,  and  report 
the  result." 

AYe  have  dwelt  upon  this  case,  because  it  not 
only  serves  to  illustrate  the  Christian  character 


HENRY   MELCEIIOR    MUHLENBERG.  77 

and  spirit  of  the  Patriarch,  but  also  presents  the 
true  mode  of  reconciling  differences,  which  un- 
fortunately do  sometimes  arise,  even  among 
those  who  are  the  professed  followers  of  the 
meek  and  lowly  Kedeemer. 
/Dr.  Muhlenberg  remained  in  Georgia  three 
months,  during  which  time  he  preached  fre- 
quently in  all  the  churches  of  the  Salzburgers, 
and  performed  an  immense  amount  of  labor.  He 
investigated  their  financial  affairs,  secured  the 
rights  of  the  congregations  to  their  property,  in- 
troduced discipline  for  the  better  government  of 
the  churches,  and  displayed  a  degree  of  tact  and 
Christian  fidelity  worthy  of  all  praise.  / 

In  the  year  1776,  in  consequence  of  increasing 
physical  infirmities,  and  the  civil  commotions 
that  existed,  he  applied  for  permission  to  retire 
into  the  country,  where  he  could  enjoy  repose, 
and  engage  in  labor  more  congenial  to  his  feel- 
ings, and  more  favorable  to  the  dilapidated  state 
of  his  health.  He  repaired  to  his  former  resi- 
dence at  the  Trappe,  but  did  not  assume  the  en- 
tire care  of  the  congregation.  Kev.  J.  L.  Voigt, 
and  subsequently  his  son.  Rev.  F.  A.  Muhlenberg, 
were  associated  with  him  in  his  labors.  His 
ministerial  duties  were  not^  however^  suspended. 


78  MEMOIR    OF 

his  life  was  by  no  means  inactive.  He  ceased 
not  daily  to  teach  and  preach  the  gospel  of  Jesus 
Christ.  He  often  officiated  on  the  Sabbath,  and 
whenever  an  opportunity  of  doing  good  pre- 
sented, he  was  willing  to  perform  service  in  the 
English  language.  In  his  day  the  unhappy  con- 
troversy in  reference  to  the  introduction  of  the 
English  into  the  exercises  of  public  worship  had 
not  yet  arisen.  As  early  as  the  year  1754,  we 
find  him  preaching  at  Providence  every  other 
Lord's  Day  during  the  summer — in  the  morning, 
German,  and  in  the  afternoon,  English,  "be- 
cause," as  he  says,  "  there  were  more  English 
than  German  inhabitants."  We  observe,  also, 
that  when  he  resigned  his  charge  in  the  country 
in  1761,  his  valedictory  was  pronounced  in 
English  as  well  as  German.  In  noticing  his 
visit  to  Hackensack  in  1752,  he  says:  "In  the 
afternoon,  I  preached  English,  because  a  number 
of  English  families  resided  here,  and  had  no 
preacher.  They  offered  to  unite  with  the  Church, 
if  I  would  remain  and  become  their  pastor. 
Also,  in  the  account  which  he  gives  of  the  se- 
cond meeting  of  the  Synod,  held  in  Lancaster, 
Pa.,  he  says :  "  I  was  compelled  at  night  to 
preach  for  the  English,  inasmuch  as  they  were 


HENRY   MELCniOR   MUHLENBERG.  79 

without  a  pastor,  and  earnestly  desired  the  ser- 
vice." He  showed  a  dispositiou  to  preach  in 
English  when  the  interests  of  the  people  seemed 
to  require  it,  and  an  occasion  of  usefulness 
offered.  This  was  the  correct  principle,  and 
would  that  his  successors  generally  had  imitated 
his  example !  If  his  enlightened  policy  and 
judicious  counsels  had  subsequently  been  pur- 
sued, how  different  would  have  been  the  result 
in  our  Church !  If  an  acquaintance  with  the 
English  language  had  been  cultivated,  and  the 
rising  generation  furnished  wath  the  ministra- 
tions and  ordinances  of  God's  house,  in  a  lan- 
guage which  they  could  understand,  how  much 
more  favorable  an  aspect  would  the  American 
Lutheran  Church  at  this  day  present !  The  un- 
fortunate controversy  was  not  started  until  about 
the  year  1790,  when  the  proposition  was  made 
to  introduce  English  into  the  services  of  the 
sanctuary,  for  the  benefit  of  those  who  were  not 
familiar  with  the  German  language.  The  con- 
test was  protracted  and  bitter ;  the  discussions 
warm  and  acrimonious ;  the  excitement  in  many 
places  most  intense  and  fierce.  Bad  feeling  for 
a  long  time  prevailed.     The  Germans  regarded 


80  MEMOIR    OF 

the  attempt  as  an  innovation  upon  their  rights, 
and  almost  everywhere  resisted  the  effort  to  in- 
troduce any  change.  This  tenacious  adherence 
to  the  exclusive  use  of  the  German  was  most 
disastrous  to  the  prosperity  of  our  Church.  For 
a  long  time  it  retarded  our  progress,  and  very 
nearly  occasioned  our  total  ruin.  Thousands 
abandoned  their  parental  communion,  and  sought 
a  home  in  other  churches,  because  their  children 
did  not  understand  the  German ;  whilst  many 
w^ho  remained,  in  consequence  of  their  limited 
acquaintance  with  the  language,  lost  their  interest 
in  religious  subjects,  and  became  remiss  in  their 
attendance  at  public  worship.  Other  denomina- 
tions built  on  our  material,  and  gathered  in  a 
rich  harvest.  If  the  same  policy  had  been  per- 
severed in,  the  Lutheran  Church  in  this  country 
must  in  time  have  become  extinct.  The  action 
of  those  who  clung  with  so  much  pertinacity  to 
their  vernacular  tongue  was,  however,  perfectly 
natural.  They  were  sincere  in  the  course  they 
pursued,  but  mistaken.  We  refer  to  the  fact, 
not  for  the  purpose  of  condemning  them,  as  we 
think  every  allowance  ought  to  be  made  for  their 
conduct,  and  we  are  certain  that  many  of  the 
present  generation,  under  similar  circumstances, 


HENRY   MELCmOR    MUHLENBERG.  81 

would  have  occupied  a  similar  position ;  but  for 
the  purpose  of  presenting  a  truth  connected  with 
our  early  history.  This  was  one  of  the  causes 
which  impeded  the  progress  of  our  Church, 
destroyed  its  efficiency,  and  circumscribed  its 
influence. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

When  Pennsylvania  was  the  scene  of  warlike 
operations  during  the  years  1777-8,  the  tran- 
quillity and  repose  of  Dr.  Muhlenberg  were  often 
very  much  disturbed.  He  was  the  bosom  friend 
of  his  adopted  country,  and  his  devotion  to  the 
principles  of  the  American  Revolution  excited 
against  him  the  most  violent  opposition  of  the 
enemy.  In  his  manuscript  Journal  he  writes  :\ 
^*  The  name  of  Muhlenberg  is  greatly  disliked '\ 
and  abused  by  the  British  and  Hessian  officers 
in  Philadelphia,  and  they  threaten  prison,  tor- 1 
tures,  and  death,  so  soon  as  they  can  lay  hands 
upon  me."  He  was  subjected  to  annoyances  of 
various  kinds.  He  was  extensively  known,  and 
his  relations  to  the  Revolution  well  understood. 
Many  took  advantage  of  his   position,  and  all 


82  MEMOIR    OF 

classes  resorted  to  his  house.  "  His  home,"  says 
a  cotemporary,  "  was  constantly  filled  with  fugi- 
tives, acquaintances  and  strangers,  with  the  poor 
and  the  hungry,  noble  and  common  beggars. 
The  hungry  never  went  away  unsatisfied,  nor 
the  suffering  uncomforted.  He  experienced  loss, 
and  w^as  often  exposed  to  danger.  He  some- 
times suffered  from  the  passing  of  the  American 
troops,  and  frequently  the  enemy  w^as  near  and 
threatened.  He  was  warned  and  entreated  to 
remove  farther  into  the  interior  from  the  scene 
of  hostilities,  as  threats  were  daily  made  upon 
his  life ;  but  he  always  refused.  He  w^as  firm, 
and  would  not  withdraw  from  the  danger.  He 
sought,  in  humble  prayer,  protection  under  the 
shadow  of  the  Almighty;  and  his  God,  in  wdiom 
he  trusted,  wonderfully  guarded  and  delivered 
him  from  the  evil  that  seemed  to  impend." 

During  the  last  ten  years  of  Dr.  Muhlenberg's 
life,  the  infirmities  of  age  greatly  increased ;  his 
physical  strength  gradually  declined,  so  that  he 
was  scarcely  able  to  leave  his  chamber.  In  con- 
sequence of  the  swelling  of  his  feet,  walking  and 
riding  were  equally  difficult.  He  also  suffered 
from  asthma,  and  other  painful  maladies.  His 
constitution  began  to  exhibit  evidences  of  decay, 


HENRY   MELCIIIOR    MUHLENBERG.  83 

from  the  year  1780.  The  hardships  and  expo- 
sures through  which  he  had  passed  in  his  early 
Labors  in  this  country,  no  doubt,  hastened  his 
dechne.  His  mental  activity  and  vigor,  how- 
ever, remained  unimpaired.  When  his  voice 
could  no  longer  be  heard  in  the  pulpit,  he  was 
still  engaged  in  doing  good  by  correspondence 
and  other  means.  He  spent  much  of  his  time 
in  retirement,  profitably  occupied  in  concern  for 
the  church,  in  setting  his  house  in  order,  and 
calmly  awaiting  the  expected  summons.  "  His 
last  years,"  says  Dr.  Helmuth,  "were  years  of 
prayer.  It  was  his  constant  employment."  He 
was  often  at  the  throne  of  grace,  and  the  book 
which  he  most  of  all  delighted  ,to  read  was  the 
Bible.  From  it  he  received  the  strength  which 
he  required^  and  that  comfort  which  is  never 
denied  to  those  who  reverently  pray,  "  Not  my 
will,  but  thine,  0  Lord,  be  done."  His  pro- 
tracted confinement  he  endured  with  meekness 
and  Christian  submission.  His  sufferings  were 
borne  with  patience  and  fortitude.  No  murmur 
or  complaint  escaped  his  lips.  God  was  with 
him  in  all  his  trials.  His  old  friend.  Pastor 
Voigt,  visited  him  a  few  days  before  his  death, 


84  MEMOIR    OF 

and  expressed  joy  at  the  apparently  improved 
condition  of  his  health,  but  the  aged  servant  of 
God  told  him  that  they  would  scarcely  meet 
again  in  this  world.  His  mind  was,  however, 
calm  and  comfortable.  He  had  no  fear  of  death, 
although  the  hand  of  the  destroyer  was  uplifted 
to  strike  him  down.  Conscious  of  his  situation, 
he  was  happy  in  the  prospect,  and  approached 
the  dark  chamber  of  death — 

"  Sustained  and  soothed 
By  an  unfaltering  trust." 

He  could  look  forward  with  joy  to  the  rewards 
of  the  future  —  to  those  bright  and  beautiful 
mansions  prepared  for  him  in  the  heavens — full 
of  humble  confidence  and  filial  faith  in  his 
blessed  Redeemer.  On  the  Saturday  evening 
preceding  his  death,  indications  of  his  dissolu- 
tion began  to  appear.  He  thought  he  would  die 
about  midnight,  and  frequently  inquired  if  it 
were  yet  twelve  o'clock.  Precisely  at  that  hour 
he  requested  two  of  his  children  to  lead  him 
from  his  chair  to  the  bed,  for  there  he  wished  to 
die ;  and  whilst  they  were  in  the  act  of  comply- 
ing with  his  wishes,  he  repeated  those  beautiful 
lines  from  Paul  Gerhard,  his  favorite  hymn  :  — 


HENRY   MELCIIIOR   MUHLENBERG.  85 

*'  Mach  end,  0  Ilerr,  maoh  cndo, 
An  aller  unsrer  Noth, 
Stoerk  unsre  Fuess'  und  Iloende, 
Und  lasz,  bis  in  den  Tod, 
Uns  allzeit  deiner  Pflege 
Und  Treu  empfohlen  seyn, 
So  gehen  unsre  Wege 
Gewisz  zum  Ilimmel  ein.'' 

Once  more  he  breathed !  The  silver  cord  was 
gently  loosed,  and  his  spirit  rested  in  the  bosom 
of  his  God. 

"  His  last  thoughts  were  God's,  his  Last  words  prayer."  ^ 

Thus  peacefully  terminated  the    active  and 
useful  career  of  Henry  Melchior  Muhlenberg, 
on  Sabbath  morning,  October  7th,  1787,  in  the 
77th  year  of  his  age.     On  the  following  Wed- 
nesday, they  carried  his  body  to  the  grave.    The 
congregation   in  Philadelphia  earnestly  desired 
his    remains   to  repose  in  their  midst,  but  his 
family   decided    otherwise.     Around   his   tomb 
hundreds  gathered  to  pay  their  last  tribute  of  \ 
love  to   departed  worth, — to  do  honor  to   the  \ 
memory  of  one  whose  virtues  and  services  were  / 
indelibly  impressed  upon    their  hearts.     There/ 
were  not  less  than  twenty  clergymen  in  attend-' 
ance.    All  his  brethren,  who  could  come  together 
on  so  short  a  notice,  were  present.     Many  perf 
sons  were  present  from  Philadelphia  and  other 
8 


86  MEMOIR    OF 

places.  The  people  grieved  that  they  should  no 
longer  see  his  face,  and  listen  to  his  paternal 
counsels.  Every  heart  was  struck  with  grief. 
All  seemed  to  feel  that  a  good  man  had  Mien  in 
Israel — and  that  a  void  had  been  created,  which 
could  not  be  easily  filled.  He  was  the  friend 
and  father  of  all,  and  all  regarded  it  as  their 
privilege  and  duty  to  mourn — 

"  Their  father,  friend,  example,  guide,  removed." 

>      The  funeral  services  were  conducted  by  Rev. 

\Dr.  Helmuth  and  Rev.  J.  L.  Yoigt;  the  latter 
delivering  a  discourse  from  the  words  of  the 
Psalmist :  "  Lord,  who  shall  abide  in  thy  taber- 
nacle ?  Who  shall  dwell  in  thy  holy  hill  ?  He 
that  walketh  uprightly,  and  worketh  righteous- 
ness, and  speaketh  the  truth  in  his  heart."  In 
many  places  the  bells  were  tolled,  the  churches 
enshrouded  in  mourning,  and  funeral  sermons 
delivered,  in  grateful  remembrance  of  the  de- 
parted, and  as  testimonials  of  the  respect  his 
worth  everywhere  inspired.  The  remains  of  the 
patriarch  quietly  rest  near  the  church  which  was 
so  long  the  scene  of  his  active  labors,  and  in 
which  he  had  so  often  dispensed  the  symbols 
of  the  Saviour's  love  among  the  people  of  God, 


HENRY   MELCIIIOR   MUHLENBERG.  87 

and  animated  them  in  their  Christian  pilgrimage 
by  the  hopes  and  consolations  of  the  Gospel.  A 
marble  slab  marks  the  spot  of  the  grave,  with  the 
following  simple  inscription  :  — 

Hoc 

Monumentum  sacrum  esto 

Memoriae  beati  ac  venerabilis 

Henrie  Melciiior  Muhlenberg, 

SacriTD  Theologias  Doctor  et 

Senioris  3Iinisterii  Lutherani 

Americani. 

Nati  Sept^e,  1711. 

Defuncti  Oct.  7,  1787. 

Qualis  et  quantus  fuerit 

Non  ignorabunt  sine  lupide 

Futura  Ssecula.* 


CHAPTER   IX. 

Dr.  Muhlenberg  was  married,  April  30th, 
1745,  to  Anna  Maria,  a  daughter  of  Colonel 
Conrad  Weiser,  celebrated  in  the  colonial  an- 
nals   of    Pennsylvania    as    confidential    Indian 

,  *  Sacred  be  this  Monument  to  the  Memory  of  the  blessed 
land  venerable  Henry  Melchior  Muhlenberg,  Doctor  of  Sacred 
jTheology  and  Senior  of  the  American  Lutheran  Ministerium. 
[Born  Sept.  6,  1711.  Pied  Oct.  7,  1787.  Who  and  what 
he  was,  future  ages  will  know  without  a  stone. 


88  MEMOIR    OF 

interpreter  and  magistrate  of  tlie  province.  She 
was  a  woman  of  great  worth,  and  in  every  re- 
spect calculated  to  make  her  husband  happy 
and  useful.  From  this  marriage,  there  were 
eleven  children;  four  died  in  infancy;  seven, 
wdth  their  widowed  mother,  survived  the  pa- 
triarch. 

John  Peter,  the  eldest,  having  been  educated 
for  the  ministry,  was  ordained  by  the  Synod 
of  Pennsylvania  in  1768,  and  was,  for  a  season, 
pastor  of  the  Lutheran  churches  of  New  Ger- 
man town  and  the  vicinity  of  the  State  of  New 
Jersey.  In  1772,  he  transferred  his  residence 
to  Virginia,  where  many  Germans  from  the 
Middle  States  had  settled,  and,  forming  them- 
selves into  a  congregation,  requested  Dr.  Muh- 
lenberg to  send  them  his  son  as  their  rector. 
These  Lutherans,  in  consequence  of  the  pecu- 
liar laws  that,  at  this  time,  existed  in  Virginia 
on  the  subject  of  Church  establishment,  had 
organized  as  members  of  the  Swedish  branch 
of  the  Lutheran  Church,  and  in  order  that  their 
minister  might  enforce  the  payment  of  tithes,  it 
was  necessary  that  he  should  be  invested  with 
Episcopal  ordination.  Accordingly,  Mr.  Muh- 
lenberg repaired  to  England  for  the  purpose,  and 


HENRY   MELCHIOR   MUHLENBERG.         89 

in  connection  with  Mr.  White,  subsequently  the 
venerable  Bishop  of  Pennsylvania,  was  ordained 
as  priest,  by  the  Lord  Bishop  of  London.  On 
his  return,  he  immediately  took  charge  of  the 
field  of  labor  to  which  he  had  been  invited,  in 
Shenandoah  county.  He  continued  here  until 
1775,  when  his  fondness  for  military  life,  and 
his  ardent  patriotism,  induced  him,  at  the  solici- 
tation of  General  Washington,  with  whom  he 
was  on  the  most  intimate  terms,  to  accept  a 
commission  of  colonel  in  the  army.  From  the 
commencement  of  the  revolutionary  war,  he  had 
been  very  much  interested  in  the  contest,  and 
deeply  sympathized  with  those  who  had  en- 
listed in  the  service  of  their  country.  It,  there- 
fore, required  very  little  effort  to  persuade  him 
to  engage  personally  in  the  work.  It  is  said, 
that  after  he  had  received  his  appointment,  he 
preached  a  valedictory  to  his  congregation,  in 
the  course  of  which  he  most  eloquently  depicted 
the  wrongs  our  country  had  suffered  from  Great 
Britain,  and  then  remarked  that  "  there  was  a 
time  for  all  things ;  a  time  to  preach,  and  a 
time  to  pray ;  but  there  was  also  a  time  to  fight, 
and  that  time  had  now  come."     Then^  having 


90  MEMOIR    OF 

pronounced  the  benediction,  he  deliberately  laid 
aside  his  gown,  which  had  thus  far  concealed 
his  military  uniform,  and  proceeding  to  the  door 
of  the  church,  ordered  the  drums  to  beat  for 
recruits.  Being  greatly  beloved  by  the  people, 
whom  he  had  previously  represented  in  the  Vir- 
ginia House  of  Delegates,  he  had  no  difficulty  in 
filling  his  regiment.  Nearly  three  hundred  men 
enlisted  under  his  banner,  with  whom  he  imme- 
diately marched  to  the  protection  of  Charleston, 
vSouth  Carolina.  He  was  present  at  the  battle 
of  Sullivan's  Island,  and  performed  a  conspicuous 
part  in  all  our  Southern  campaigns.  Having 
been  promoted  by  Congress,  in  the  year  1777, 
to  the  rank  of  Brigadier-General,  he  held  com- 
mand in  the  battles  of  Brandywine  and  Ger- 
mantown,  and  shared  the  dangers  and  responsi- 
bilities of  Monmouth,  Stony  Point,  and  York- 
town.  He  continued  in  the  service  until  the 
termination  of  the  war,  and  was  then  appointed 
to  the  rank  of  Major-General,  before  the  army 
was  disbanded.  Under  the  old  constitution  of 
Pennsylvania,  he  was  elected  A^ice-President  of 
the  State,  with  Benjamin  Franklin  as  President. 
He  was  chosen,  for  several  successive  terms,  as  a 
representative  in  Congress,  and  also  served  as  a 


HENRY    MELCHIOR    MUIILEXBERG.         01 

Presidential  Elector.  In  1801,  he  was  selected 
by  the  Legislature  of  the  State  as  United  States 
Senator.  He  was  likewise  honored  with  several 
Executive  appointments,  and,  until  his  death, 
retained  the  confidence  of  the  Government,  and 
enjoyed  the  esteem  of  the  community.  He  died 
at  his  residence,  in  the  vicinity  of  Philadelphia, 
in  the  year  1807. 

Frederick  Augustus,  the  second  son  of  the 
patriarch,  was  educated  at  Halle,  in  Saxony,  and 
was  ordained  to  the  work  of  the  ministry  before 
his  return  to  this  country.     He  was  stationed, 
for  a  time,  in  Lebanon  county,  also  at  Eeading 
and  New  Hanover.     Thence  he  removed  to  the 
city  of  New  York,  where  he  continued  to  reside, 
as  pastor  of  the  Lutheran  Church,   until  the 
British  entered  the  city.     In  consequence  of  his 
enthusiastic  attachment  to  the  American  inte- 
rest, it  was  deemed  unsafe  for  him  to  remain  in 
a  position  in  which  he  was  exposed  to  imminent 
danger.     It  was  supposed  that  if  he  fell  into  the 
power  of  the  enemy,  he  would  be  the  victim  of 
cruel  and  vindictive  treatment.     He,  therefore, 
departed  to  Pennsylvania,  and,  for  some  time, 
had  charge  of  the  congregation  in  New  Hanover. 
Having  been  called  into  political  life,  he  laid  aside 


92  MEMOIROF 

the  duties  of  the  ministiy.  In  1779,  he  was 
elected  a  member  of  the  Continental  Congress. 
He  was  also  sent  as  a  delegate  to  the  State  Con- 
vention, which  assembled  to  ratify  the  new 
Federal  Constitution,  and  was  selected  by  his 
colleagues  to  preside  over  their  deliberations. 
He  was  repeatedly  chosen  as  a  representative 
to  Congress  under  the  new  Constitution,  and, 
on  two  different  occasions,  served  as  Speaker 
of  the  House.  He  was  regarded  as  a  leading 
and  useful  statesman.  He  was  universally  es- 
teemed, and  died,  greatly  lamented,  at  Lancaster, 
Pennsylvania,  in  the  year  1812. 

Henry  Ernest,  the  youngest  son  of  Dr.  Muh- 
lenberg, spent  several  years  in  Europe  in  the 
prosecution  of  his  studies  for  the  sacred  office. 
On  his  return  to  this  country  in  1770,  he  was 
ordained  by  the  Synod  of  Pennsylvania,  and 
immediately  became  assistant  to  his  father,  and 
third  minister  of  the  United  Churches  in  Phila- 
delphia. He  continued  to  occupy  this  position 
until  the  British  obtained  possession  of  the  city. 
As  he  was  threatened  with  the  halter,  because 
of  his  thorough  republicanism  and  zealous  de- 
votion to  the  cause  of  the  Ke volution,  he  found 
it  necessary  to  flee  from  the  scene  of  danger. 


HENRY   MELCniOR    MUHLENBERG.        93 

Disguised  under  a  blanket,  and  with  a  rifle  on 
Lis  shoulder,  he  had  nearly  Mien  into  hostile 
hands,  through  the  snares  of  an  innkeeper,  who 
had  intentionally  directed  him  to  take  the  road 
by  which  the  British  were  approaching.  Warned, 
however,  in  season,  by  a  Whig  occupant  of  the 
house,  he  succeeded  in  making  his  escape,  and 
reached  New  Hanover  in  safety.  Relieved,  for 
a  time,  from  professional  duties,  he  engaged  with 
great  zest  in  the  study  of  botany,  and  acquired 
that  love  for  this  favorite  pursuit  which  after- 
wards so  strongly  manifested  itself  On  the  elec- 
tion of  his  brother  to  a  civil  office,  he  succeeded 
him  as  pastor.  In  the  year  1780,  he  removed  , 
to  Lancaster,  where  he  labored  with  great  effi- 
ciency until  his  death,  in  1815,  holding  a  high 
rank  as  a  scholar,  and  distinguished  as  a  min- 
ister of  the  gospel  —  enjoying  the  uninterrupted 
regard  of  his  congregation,  and  exerting  an  in- 
fluence in  the  community  which  it  is  rarely  the 
piivilege  of  the  most  highly  favored  to  enjoy. 

Two  of  the  patriarch's  daughters  married 
Lutheran  clergymen;  the  one  was  the  wife  of 
Rev.  C.  E.  Schultze,  who  immigrated  to  this 
country  in  17G5,  and  labored  so  long  and  so 
faitlifully  for  the  advancement  of  our  Church, 


94  MEMOIR    OF 

and  the  extension  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom ; 
the  other  was  married  to  the  Rev.  Dr.  Kunze, 
also  sent  from  Halle  to  this  land  in  1770,  and 
distinguished  for  his  numerous  excellencies ;  who 
occupied  a  prominent  position  in  the  Church,  and 
was  deservedly  eminent  for  his  attainments  as  a 
scholar  and  a  theologian. 

A  third  daughter  became  the  wife  of  Major 
Francis  Swayne ;  and  a  fourth  was  married  to 
Matthew  Richards,  the  father  of  John  W.  Rich- 
ards, D.  D.,  whose  premature  death,  in  the  vigor 
of  manhood  and  the  meridian  of  his  usefulness, 
the  Church  was  called  to  mourn. 


CHAPTER   X. 

In"  stature,  Dr.  Muhlenberg  was  of  medium 
height,  thick  set,  and  somewhat  stooped.  His 
frame  was  robust,  his  complexion  florid,  his  tem- 
perament sanguine,  with  a  mixture  of  the  phleg- 
matic— his  eye  bright,  and  expressive  of  a  kind 
heart  —  his  countenance  friendly  and  engaging, 
indicative  of  the  warm  feelings  of  his  soul  —  his 
voice  was  full,  penetrating,  and  melodious — his 
elocution    clear    and    ejBfective.     His   personal 


II E  N  R  Y    M  E  L  C  11 1  ()  R    M  U  1 1  E  E  N  V>  i:  R  G  .        9  5 

appearance  and  manner  were  altogether  such  as 
to  produce  the  conviction  that  he  realized  the 
responsibiUty  of  the  position  which  he  sustained ; 
his  whole  aspect  was  becoming  the  holy  office 
with  which  he  was  invested. 

From  all  that  we  have  been  able  to  gather  in 
reference  to  the  subject  of  our  Memoir,  we  have 
no  difficulty  in  concluding  that  he  possessed  a 
combination  of  qualities  which  peculiarly  fitted 
him  for  the  duties  he  was  called  to  perform. 
Gifted  by  nature  with  strong  mental  powers, 
which  had  been  brought  under  the  influence  of 
the  highest  cultivation  —  endowed  with  a  noble 
heart,  which  had  been  sanctified  by  Divine  grace, 
and  disciplined  in  the  school  of  affliction  —  and 
in  the  possession  of  a  physical  constitution  which 
in  early  life  had  been  inured  to  labor,  with  an 
ardent,  active  piety,  an  earnest  and  enthusiastic 
devotion  to  the  w^ork,  nothing  seemed  wanting 
for  the  successful  accomplishment  of  his  mission. 
He  was  the  man  kindly  raised  up  by  Providence 
for  the  particular  emergency  required,  at  this 
time,  in  this  Western  world.  The  most  sanguine 
expectations  of  his  success  in  the  work  w^ere  en- 
tertained by  those  who  selected  him  for  the 
object.     These   expectations   were    not    disap- 


96  MEMOIR    OF 

pointed.  Tliey  were  more  than  realized.  The  se- 
quel amply  j  ustified  the  choice.  Under  God,  he  did 
great  things  for  our  Lutheran  Zion.  His  praise 
is  deservedly  in  all  the  churches.  He  has  left  a 
name  fragrant  with  the  highest  honor  attainable 
in  this  probationary  state — that  of  a  good  man, 
sincere  in  his  profession,  and  upright  in  his  life, 
widely  esteemed,  and  greatly  beloved. 

But  in  attempting  an  estimate  of  Dr.  Muhlen- 
berg's character,  w^e  must  go  a  little  into  detail, 
and  speak  more  fully  of  him  in  his  private  and 
public  capacity,  particularly  as  an  earnest  Chris- 
tian and  a  faithful  minister  of  the  gospel. 

He  was  a  man  of  clear,  vigorous  intellect,  and 
of  varied  and  extensive  learning.  He  was  dis- 
tinguished for  the  versatility  of  his  powers,  and 
the  range  of  his  acquirements.  His  mind,  natu- 
rally capacious,  had  been  subjected  to  the  most 
careful  culture,  the  most  rigid  disciphne ;  and  in 
all  his  eftbrts  he  was  regular,  systematic,  and  in- 
dustrious. His  memory  was  retentive,  his  per- 
ceptions quick,  his  judgment  acute,  and  his 
knowledge  of  character  wonderful.  As  a  linguist 
he  occupied  a  very  high  rank.  He  was  an  accu- 
rate and  a  finished  Hebrew  and  Greek  scholar. 
'  The  German,  English,  Dutch,  French,  Bohemian, 


HENRY   MELCIIIOR    MUHLENBERG.  97 

and  SweclLsli,  it.  is  said,  he  wrote  with  lluency. 
He  could  also  preach  in  all  the  different  lan- 
guages then  spoken  on  the  continent.  With  the 
Latin  he  was  almost  as  familiar  as  with  his  ver- 
nacular tongue.  At  the  meeting  of  Synod,  in 
1750,  we  find  him  delivering  a  Latin  address  to 
the  brethren  in  the  ministry ;  also,  at  a  subse- 
quent Convention,  the  exercises  were  introduced 
with  a  congratulatory  discourse  in  Latin,  by  a 
Swedish  Lutheran  minister,  to  which  Dr.  Muh- 
lenberg replied  in  the  same  language. 

He  had  likewise  devoted  considerable  atten- 
tion to  the  natural  sciences.  He  was  very  much 
interested  in  the  study  of  chemistry,  and  had 
given  some  time  to  the  subject  of  medicine,  which 
he  found  useful  to  him  during  his  pastoral  labors 
in  his  visitations  to  the  poor.  He  was  a  fine 
musician,  and  performed  wath  much  skill  on  the 
organ,  the  harp,  guitar,  and  the  violin.  He, 
moreover,  had  a  pleasant  voice,  and  it  is  said 
sang  most  delightfully. 

A  very  high  estimate  w^as  put  upon  the  attain- 
ments of  Dr.  Muhlenberg  by  his  cotemporaries. 
His  society  was  sought  and  his  influence  courted 

by  the  learned  men  of  the  day.     We  find  him 
9 


08  MEMOIR    OF 

attending  the  commencement  exercises  of  Prince- 
ton College  by  the  special  invitation  of  the 
Faculty ;  and  from  the  University  of  Pennsyl- 
vania he  received  the  Doctorate  in  Divinity,  a 
literary  distinction  in  those  days  rarely  conferred, 
and  only  upon  those  whose  claims  to  the  honor 
were  unquestionable. 

He  was  fond  of  intellectual  pursuits,  and  stu- 
died with  great  zest ;  yet  he  never  engaged  in 
them  for  mere  self-gratification,  or  influenced  by 
a  love  of  fame,  or  a  desire  to  attain  some  sinister 
object.  All  his  employments  and  pleasures  were 
made  subordinate  to  the  great  purpose  to  which 
he  had  consecrated  himself,  and  were  made  to 
subserve  the  cause  of  righteousness  and  the  glory 
of  God. 

In  the  pulpit.  Dr.  Muhlenberg  is  said  to  have 
been  exceedingly  able.  He  never  failed  to  arrest 
the  attention,  and  always  seemed  to  possess  great 
power  over  his  audience.  He  knew  at  once  the 
way  to  the  heart,  and  could  concentrate  and 
combine  truth  so  as  to  bear  with  great  energy 
on  the  soul.  His  own  deep  religious  experience 
enabled  him  to  describe  the  various  exercises  of 
the  mind  with  wonderful  clearness  and  correct- 


HENRY   MELCHIOR    MUHLENBERG.  99 

ness.  He  had  carefully  studied  human  charac- 
ter, and  thoroughly  understood  the  workings  of 
the  heart.  He  could  readily  adapt  his  efforts  to 
all  classes,  and  secure  the  interest  of  the  illite- 
rate as  well  as  the  most  intelligent  in  the  com- 
munity. Frequently  during  the  services,  the 
whole  congregation  was  bathed  in  tears.  His 
sermons  were  particularly  impressive  and  in- 
structive,— of  an  analytical  character,  abounding 
with  scriptural  illustrations  and  facts,  selected 
from  the  occurrences  of  every-day  life.  The 
truths  of  God's  word  were  presented  with  ama- 
zing simplicity,  meekness,  and  power.  Faithful 
and  fearless,  he  hesitated  not  to  declare  the 
whole  counsel  of  God,  and  to  rebuke  sin,  unawed 
by  the  presence  of  man.  He  never  compromised 
principle  for  popular  applause,  or  in  any  respect 
proved  recreant  to  his  high  responsibilities,  to 
his  solemn  obligations.  He  never  uttered  senti- 
ments unworthy  the  sacred  desk,  or  intended  to 
excite  amusement.     Never  did  he 

"  Court  a  grin,  when  he  should  woo  a  soul," 

He  kept  constantly  in  view  the  great  object  of 
his  vocation, — preaching  the  gospel  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  and  pleading  with  sinners  to  be- 


100  MEMOIR    OF 

come  reconciled  to  God.  He  acted  as  if  lie  felt 
he  was  commissioned  bj  God  to  make  known  to 
dying  man — 

"  The  eternal  counsels:  in  his  Master's  name 
To  treat  with  them  of  everlasting  things, 
Of  life,  death,  bliss,  and  woe/' 

He  went  forth  in  the  spirit  of  his  Master,  in  re- 
liance upon  the  Divine  strength  and  the  pro- 
mised aid,  to  spread  the  triumphs  of  the  cross, 
and  to  cause  the  waste  places  to  flourish  like 
cedars  in  the  courts  of  the  Lord. 

Dr.  Muhlenberg  was  regarded  a,s  a  model  pas- 
tor. This  was  very  generally  acknowledged. 
The  public  ministrations  of  the  Word  were  faith- 
fully accompanied  with  suitable  efforts  in  private 
for  the  conversion  of  the  soul.  The  spiritual 
welfare  of  his  flock  occupied  his  constant  thoughts 
and  engaged  his  unwearied  efforts,  his  watchful 
care.  He  never  faltered  in  his  labors  of  love. 
He  sought  every  opportunity  afforded  him  to 
lead  sinners  to  Christ.  He  went  about  doing 
good  in  the  name  of  the  Lord.  The  rich  and 
the  poor,  the  high  and  the  low,  the  learned  and 
the  unlearned,  welcomed  him  as  the  minister  of 
consolation.    He  was  ever  ready  to  alleviate  the 


HENRY   MELCHIOR   MUHLENBERG.       101 

suffering,  and  to  sympathize  with  the  afflicted — 
to  pour  oil  of  gladness  into  the  troubled  soul — to 
reclaim  the  erring,  and  to  raise  the  fallen.  He 
had  a  heart  of  compassion  for  his  fellow-men. 
In  the  hour  of  darkness  and  trial,  he  was  with 
them,  soothing  their  sorrows,  and  ministering 
unto  them  comfort  and  instruction.  At  the 
bed-side  of  the  dying,  and  mingling  his  tears 
with  the  afflicted,  his  people  always  found  him 
such  a  pastor  as  they  needed.  To  their  relief 
he  w^as  ever  willing  to  devote  himself;  in  their 
service  he  was  willing  to  lose  even  his  own  life. 

"  Needy,  poor, 
And  dying  men,  like  music  heard,  his  feet 
Approach  their  beds;  and  guilty  wretches 
Took  new  hope,  and  in  his  prayers  wept  and  smiled, 
And  blessed  him,  as  they  died  forgiven." 

I  Dr.  Muhlenberg  was  deeply  interested  in  the 
rising  generation,  and  took  great  delight  in  in- 
structing them  in  the  principles  of  the  Christian 
religion.  "  His  love  for  children,"  says  a  cotem- 
porary,  "  had  scarcely  its  equal ;  and  with  un- 
tiring zeal  did  this  pious  man  think  of  their  sal- 
vation." He  devoted  a  considerable  portion  of 
his  time    to  their  improvement,  and  earnestly 

labored  to  promote  their  hio:hest  good. 
9* 


102  MEMOIR    OF 

The  Lutheran  Church,  in  its  early  history, 
was  distinguished  for  the  provision  it  made  for 
the  religious  instruction  of  the  young,  and  pas- 
tors laid  themselves  out  specially  for  the  work. 
Our  fathers  generally  valued  catechetical  instruc- 
tion most  highly,  and  improved  every  occasion 
afforded  them  to  urge  its  importance  upon  the 
attention  of  the  people.  Those  who  sat  under 
their  ministry  appreciated  the  service,  and  re- 
garded it  as  a  great  privilege  that  they  could 
enjoy  this  means  of  grace.  It  is  much  to  be  re- 
gretted that  the  practice  so  prominent  in  our 
Cliurch  at  the  beginning,  is,  at  the  present  day, 
in  many  of  our  congregations,  so  sadly  neglected, 
or  performed  with  heartless  indifference.  Al- 
though it  has,  we  know,  sometimes  failed  to 
accomplish  the  designed  result,  yet  it  is  a  valu- 
able instrument  of  good.  It  has  been  owned  of 
God,  and  blessed  to  the  salvation  of  precious 
souls.  If  a  deeper  concern  were  manifested  in 
the  youth  of  the  Church,  and  more  earnest  efforts 
employed  for  their  recovery  from  sin,  their 
attachment  to  their  own  communion  would  per- 
haps be  stronger,  their  interest  in  religious  sub- 
jects  greater.     If  they  were  more   thoroughly 


HENRY   MELCHIOK   MUHLENBERG.       103 

instructed  in  the  doctrines  and  practices  of  Chris- 
tianity, they  would  find  it  more  difficult  to  wan- 
der from  the  fold, — and,  in  the  morning  of  life, 
they  would  be  more  likely  to  consecrate  them- 
selves to  the  service  of  the  Redeemer. 

Dr.  Muhlenberg  is  represented  as  possessing 
extraordinary  skill  in  giving  catechetical  instruc- 
tion. This  was  acquired  in  early  life  in  the 
various  positions  in  which,  in  the  Providence 
of  God,  he  had  been  placed.  Of  the  faithful 
manner  in  wdiich  he  conducted  the  exercises 
preparatory  to  admission  into  the  Church,  we 
.may  give  some  idea  from  the  following  extract, 
taken  almost  at  random,  in  connexion  witli  his 
labors,  as  found  in  the  Hallische  Nachrichten : 
"  In  the  month  of  November,"  says  he,  "  I  con- 
firmed and  admitted  to  the  Lord's  Supper  the 
young  people  wdiom  I  had  instructed.  There 
were  twenty-six  in  number,  chiefly  adults,  one 
of  whom  was  a  married  man.  They  had  com- 
mitted to  memory  the  questions  on  the  plan  of 
salvation  with  considerable  accuracy ;  I  earnestly 
labored  to  impress  them  with  the  proper  import 
of  what  they  had  learned ;  and  without  ceasing, 
admonished  them    to  frequent  prayer  and  the 


104  MEMOIR    OF 

practice  of  what  they  had  heard.  They,  there- 
fore, cannot  present  as  an  excuse  before  God 
that  they  had  not  been  sufficiently  impressed 
and  urged.  The  greater  part  had  also  assured 
me,  in  the  personal  conversations  I  had  with 
them,  that  they  have  frequently  been  upon  their 
knees  in  private  prayer  at  home,  and  that  they 
have  experienced  in  their  hearts  the  influences 
of  the  Spirit  of  God  through  his  Word." 

The  UalUsclie  NachricJiten  abounds  in  interest- 
ing illustrations  and  detailed  narratives  of  Dr. 
Muhlenberg's  anxious  solicitude  for  souls,  and 
the  various  means  he  employed  for  the  spiritual 
improvement  of  his  congregations.  The  follow- 
ing account  of  the  exercises  preceding  the  admi- 
nistration of  the  Lord's  Supper  in  one  of  his 
churches,  will  be  read  with  interest.  It  is  found 
in  a  communication  forwarded  to  Halle,  in  the 
year  1746  :  ''  The  week  before,  all  who  would 
partake  of  the  sacrament,  must  meet  the  Pastor 
at  the  parsonage  or  the  school-house,  when  the 
opportunity  is  embraced  to  ascertain  the  spirit- 
ual condition  of  each  individual,  and  to  afford 
him  the  necessary  warning,  or  comfort  and  en- 
couragement.    The  day  before  the  celebration 


HENRY   MELCIIIOR   MUHLENBERG.        105 

of  the  Eucharist,  all  such  meet  in  the  church  ; 
an  appropriate  discourse  on  repentance  is 
preached  and  applied,  without  mentioning 
names,  to  each  one's  condition.  Then  all  sur- 
round the  altar  in  a  semi-circle,  and  if  there  be 
any  who  have  been  a  public  offence,  or  an  open 
stumbling-block,  they  must  each  come  forward. 
The  Pastor  again  reminds  them  publicly  of  their 
sins,  admonishes  them  to  true  repentance,  and 
demands  of  them  contrition,  faith,  and  reforma- 
tion of  life.  When  they  have  promised  this,  the 
Pastor  asks  all  present  whether  they  will  forgive 
the  offence  caused  by  those  thus  confessing  their 
sins,  and  will  help  to  pray  for  them  to  God 
through  Christ.  Then  all  are  admonished  not 
to  think  themselves  better  than  these  sinners  — 
for  every  one  has  reason  to  watch  over  his  own 
heart,  and  that  the  grace  of  God  is  alone  suffi- 
cient to  restrain  them  from  sin,  and  to  reform 
their  life.  After  this,  the  usual  confession  is 
made  kneeling,  pardon  being  promised  to  the 
truly  penitent,  and  condemnation  declared  from 
God's  word  to  all  impenitent  persons,  hypocrites, 
as  well  as  open  sinners,  all  are  yet  once  asked 
whether  they  cherish  any  ill-will  one  towards 


106  MEMOIR    OF 

another ;  and  if  any  misunderstanding  between 
members  exist,  such  remain  after  the  service,  for- 
give one  another,  and  become  reconciled." 

We  give  one  or  two  more  passages  from  the 
Hallisclie  Naclirichten,  for  the  purpose  of  exhi- 
biting his  pastoral  character,  the  profound  and 
earnest  interest  he  took  in  the  spiritual  w^elfare 
of  all  W'ith  whom  he  came  in  contact.  There 
seemed  to  be  "  a  word  fitly  spoken"  for  every 
one  he  met.  On  one  occasion  he  writes,  "  I 
visited  a  female  of  the  Reformed  Church,  who 
seems  to  be  truly  pious, — and  a  colored  woman, 
a  slave,  entered  the  room,  evidently  a  friend  of 
true  religion,  and  possessing  an  experimental 
acquaintance  with  it.  I  conversed  with  her  in 
the  English  language,  and  endeavored  to  encou- 
rage her  in  the  work  in  which  she  was  engaged." 
On  another  occasion,  he  says  :  "  I  this  day,  after 
an  examination,  baptized  three  negroes."  Again 
he  remarks,  during  his  sojourn  in  New  York, 
"  This  morning  I  preached  in  Low  Dutch,  on  the 
'Ujijust  Steicard  ;'  and  in  the  afternoon,  in  Ger- 
man, from  the  text,  '  I  am  crucified  to  tlie  icorld! 
A  widow  of  the  congregation  had  a  mulatto 
slave,  who  was  in  the  habit  of  attending  our 


HENRY   MELCIIIOR    MUHLENBERG.       107 

English  and  Low  Dutch  meetings,  and  by  her 
consistent  walk  had  put  many  nominal  Chris- 
tians to  the  blush.  She  brought  me  my  dinner 
from  her  mistress.  I  offered  her  a  piece  of  mo- 
ney, as  an  evidence  of  my  gratitude,  but  she 
absolutely  refused  to  take  it,  and  began  to  weep 
bitterly,  because  she  heard  I  was  about  to  leave 
them.  She  said  she  had  experienced  in  her 
heart  the  power  of  the  word  preached,  and  had 
never  before  obtained  so  much  consolation  for 
her  soul ;  and  now  I  was  about  to  leave  them. 
I  must  confess  my  heart  was  ready  to  break.  I 
urged  her  to  cling  closely  to  the  Lord  Jesus,  who 
shed  his  blood  for  her.  On  the  same  day,  after 
the  afternoon  service,  three  inquiring  sinners 
visited  me  at  my  house,  and  desired  a  word  of 
instruction.  At  night,  I  preached  in  the  Enghsh 
language,  on  the  condition  of  the  Church  at 
Laodicea." 

He  was  indefatigable  in  his  labors,  instant  in 
season  and  out  of  season,  abundant  in  promoting 
the  Divine  honor  and  the  spiritual  good  of  his 
fellow-men  of  all  classes  and  conditions-in  society. 

"With  all  of  patience  and  affection  taught, 
Rebuked,  persuaded,  solaced,  counselled,  warned, 
In  fervent  style  and  manner." 


108  MEMOIR    OF 

The  constraining  love  of  Christ  continually 
urged  him  forward  in  the  discharge  of  his 
numerous  and  responsible  duties.  In  com- 
munion with  his  God  in  secret,  he  sought  and 
obtained  those  qualifications  for  the  active  la- 
bors of  his  calling,  which  he  possessed  in  so 
eminent  a  degree,  and  which  were  developed 
in  all  his  intercourse.  Says  Dr.  Helmuth,  "The 
Lord  w^as  truly  with  him,  upon  whom  alone  he 
depended  for  success.  The  word,  spoken  by 
inspiration,  was  in  his  case  verified  —  '  Blessed 
is  the  man  that  trusteth  in  the  Lord,  and  whose 
hope  the  Lord  is.  For  he  shall  be  like  a  tree 
planted  by  the  waters,  and  that  spreadeth  out 
her  roots  by  the  river,  and  shall  not  see  where 
heat  cometh,  but  her  leaf  shall  be  green ;  and 
shall  not  be  careful  in  the  year  of  drought, 
neither  shall  cease  from  yielding  fruit.' "  God 
did  truly  bless  his  efforts.  Precious  fruit  was 
the  result.  There  were  evidences  of  usefulness 
and  of  the  Divine  blessing  upon  his  labors,  sel- 
dom surpassed  in  this  or  in  any  other  land. 
The  amount  of  his  influence  cannot  be  mea- 
sured. Eternity  alone  can  reveal  the  result. 
The  personal  character  of  Dr.   Muhlenberg 


HENRY    MELCUIIOR    MUHLENBERG.       109 

was  such  as  to  gain  the  hearts  of  all  who  knew 
him.  He  possessed  those  excellencies  of  charac- 
ter, which  always  win  the  affections  and  secure 
warm  and  devoted  friends.  His  manners  were 
such  as  to  inspire  confidence,  and  to  prepare  the 
way  for  the  most  unrestrained  communication. 
The  timid  and  diffident  felt  no  embarrassment 
in  his  presence.  All  approached  him  with  the 
feelings  which  children  manifest  in  their  ap- 
proaches to  a  kind  and  tender  parent.  He  had 
the  faculty  of  attaching  to  himself  all  who  came 
within  the  circle  of  his  influence.  He  exercised 
a  charm,  which  few  could  resist.  He  was  full 
of  kindness,  ever  ready  to  do  good,  and  always 
consulting  the  happiness  of  others.  His  benevo- 
lence was  a  habitual  exercise.  Acts  of  goodness 
were  performed  whenever  occasions  presented. 
He  knew 

"  that  good,  the  more 

Communicated,  the  more  abundant  grows.^' 

No  one  ever  came  to  him  needing  assistance, 
whom  he  was  not  willing  to  take  to  his  home, 
and  assist  to  the  utmost  of  his  ability.  To  all 
who  required  his  advice  or  counsel,  he  most 
10 


110  MEMOIR    OF 

cheerfully  devoted  his  time  and  his  services. 
In  conversation  he  was  pleasing  and  instructive, 
frequently  facetious  and  playful,  yet  always  dig- 
nified, easy,  and  affable.  He  never  let  himself 
down  by  invading  the  character  of  others,  nor  was 
he  unmindful  of  the  position  he  occupied  as  an 
ambassador  of  the  Most  High.  No  w^ord  ever 
fell  from  his  lips  which  w\as  intended  to  wound 
the  feelings  or  needlessly  to  pain  the  heart.  He 
had  learned  effectually  in  the  school  of  Christ, 
that  the  courtesies  of  life  were  not  to  be  disre- 
garded, that  genuine  politeness  is  an  essential 
ingredient  of  the  Christian  character.  He  was 
also  distinguished  for  his  unaffected  simplicity, 
so  prominent  in  the  sincere  German,  who  from 
infancy  has  been  reared  by  pious  parents,  and 
whose  whole  soul  is  imbued  with  Christian  prin- 
ciple. He  was  mild  and  gentle,  patient  and 
forgiving;  yet  he  possessed  great  energy  and 
decision  —  a  firmness  of  character  and  integrity 
of  purpose  which  nothing  could  intimidate  or 
shake.  So  much  confidence,  we  have  seen,  was 
reposed  in  his  justice,  that  our  congregations 
throughout  the  country,  when  involved  in  trouble 
or  difficulty,  appealed  to  his  judgment,  and  cor- 


v/ 


HENRY   MELCIIIOR    MUHLENBERG.       Ill 

dially  submitted  to  his  decision,  whether  it  was 
fa^^orable  or  unfavorable  to  their  interests.  His 
influence  was  boundless ;  his  opinions  in  all  ques- 
tions carried  with  them  great  weight.  The  affec- 
tion and  love  which  all  cherished  for  him  were 
unlimited ;  the  regard  and  veneration,  which  all 
entertained  for  his  character,  most  profound.  In 
all  the  relations  of  life  he  was  honored,  esteemed, 
and  admired. 

"  Oh,  who  can  speak  his  praise !     Great,  humble  man  V 

His  life  was  a  beautiful  illustration  of  the  rever- 
ence all  men  feel  for  exalted  piety  and  active 
benevolence. 

s  The  secret  of  Dr.  Muhlenberg's  wonderful 
influence  and  success,  was  his  eminent,  warm- 
hearted piety.  The  spirit  of  Christ  was  in  him. 
It  beamed  from  his  eyes  —  it  breathed  from  his 
'lips.  He  was  a  sincere,  devoted  Christian  — 
beautifully  exemplifying  in  his  life  the  truth 
of  his  principles  and  the  power  of  the  Gospel. 
His  actions  always  corresponded  with  the  les- 
sons he  inculcated  from  the  pulpit  —  the  duties 
he  enforced  in  his  pastoral  visitations.  His 
claims   to  discipleship   none   questioned.      His 


112  MEMOIR    OF 

qualifications  for  the  joys  of  the  eternal  world 
all  admitted. 

Dr.  Muhlenberg's  piety  was  pure  and  elevated. 
It  burned  with  a  clear  and  steady  flame.  It  was 
so  free  from  those  human  infirmities  which  often 
adhere  even  to  a  good  man.  It  pervaded  his 
whole  character,  and  was  seen  in  a  uniform 
course  of  holy  living,  and  a  persevering  system 
of  labor  in  the  cause  of  Christ.  Religion  entered 
into  all  his  plans  of  life,  and  into  all  his  arrange- 
ments. It  was  the  topic  of  his  conversation  — 
the  object  of  all  his  efforts.  He  w^as  a  man  of 
prayer  —  of  peculiar  and  earnest  prayer.  He 
prayed,  not  as  a  matter  of  form,  or  merely  from 
a  sense  of  duty,  but  because  he  loved  to  pray, 
and  because  he  had  faith  in  God,  the  hearer  and 
answerer  of  prayer.  He  was  a  man  of  strong 
I  faith,  and  acted  as  if  he  believed  the  promises 
of  God.  He  was  never  disturbed  by  the  clouds 
and  storms  which  gathered  around  him.  He 
knew  his  Father  was  at  the  helm.  He  trusted 
when  he  could  not  see  —  he  adored  when  he 
could  not  complain !  It  is  said  that  he  often 
spent  whole  nights  pleading  at  the  throne  of 
grace  with  earnestness  and  with  tears,  yet  with 


HENRY   MELCHIOR    MUHLENBERG.        113 

unwavering  faith  in  God,  especially  when  in 
doubt  or  perplexity,  or  Avhen  difficulties  or  strife 
existed  in  any  of  the  churches,  and  pressed  hea- 
vily upon  his  mind.  He  was  a  man  of  great 
humility.  All  that  he  had  done  he  regarded  as 
worthless.  He  looked  to  the  Kedeemer  as  the 
only  ground  of  acceptance  with  God.  Clothed 
with  his  righteousness,  justified  by  faith  in  the 
blood  of  the  atonement,  he  had  peace  with  God. 
He  knew  in  whom  he  believed,  —  and  he  felt 
assured  that  when  the  "earthly  house  of  this 
tabernacle,"  which  he  inhabited,  was  dissolved, 
he  had  ''  a  building  of  God,  —  a  house  not  made 
with  htmds,  eternal  in  the  heavens."  His  piety 
w^as  of  that  calm,  rational,  cheerful  type,  which 
seemed  to  spring  from  the  heart,  and  which  in 
every  difficulty  was  wont  to  look  directly  to  God 
for  help.  It  inspired  him  with  fortitude  in  trial 
and  intrepidity  in  danger.  It  was  "  as  an  anchor 
of  the  soul,  both  sure  and  steadfast,  and  which 
entereth  into  that  within  the  veil." 

In  his  theological  views.  Dr.  Muhlenberg  was 
most  evangelical.     This  might  naturally  be  in- 
ferred from  what  has  already  been    said.     He 
cordially  embraced  all  those  distinguishing  truths 
10- 


114  MEMOIR    OF 

which  are  so  vital  to  the  Christian  system,  and 
so  precious  to  every  believer.  The  doctrine  of 
man's  depravity,  justification  by  faith  in  Jesus 
Christ,  salvation  by  grace,  the  necessity  of  the 
influence  of  the  Holy  Spirit  in  the  work  of  re- 
generation, and  the  constant  need  of  Divine  aid 
in  the  faithful  discharge  of  our  Christian  duties, 
w^ere  topics  upon  which  he  loved  to  dwell,  and 
which  exerted  an  influence  upon  all  his  move- 
ments. He  venerated  the  standards  of  his 
Church,  and  defended  them  from  misrepresenta- 
tions ;  but  he  did  not  receive  them  as  an  abso- 
lute rule  of  faith.  All  the  Lutheran  churches 
of  his  day  were  built  on  the  Augsburg  Confes- 
sion, yet  he  did  not  desire  this  symbol  to  super- 
sede the  word  of  God.  The  Bible  he  regarded 
as  the  only  infallible  rule  of  faith  and  practice. 
He  was  not  averse  to  confessions ;  but  he  pro- 
posed to  rest  upon  human  declarations  only  so 
far  as  they  derive  their  light  from  the  sacred 
Scriptures.  He  was  never  disposed  to  contend 
for  those  points  of  doctrine  which  are  not  con- 
sidered fundamental,  for  their  minor  and  verbal 
diflerences  of  belief  which  have  so  frequently 
been    the    occasion  of    controversy    and   strife 


HENRY   MELCIIIOR   MUULENBERG.       115 

among  the  brethren.     Claiming  respect  for  his 
own  views,  he  w\as  disposed  to  respect  the  views 
of  others,  and  was  willing  to  allow  liberty  of 
thought.     He  was  no  bigot.    He  had  no  sympa- 
thy with  sectarian  prescription  so  prevalent  in 
the  land,   which  is  disposed  to   exclude   from 
Christian  fellowship  everything  which  does  not 
originate  with  itself,  or  which  is  not  carried  on 
under  its  own    auspices.     He   condemned   the 
spirit  of  intolerance,  which  is  the  reproach  of 
any  church  in  wdiich  it  is  found.     His   views 
were  liberal  and  comprehensive.     He  lived  on 
the  most  intimate  terms  wdth  hiscotemporaries, 
and  highly  esteemed  the  servants  of  Christ  con- 
nected wdth  other  Christian  denominations.    He 
was  walling  to  unite  with  them  in  any  effort  for 
doing  good,  and  ready  to  co-operate  most  heartily; 
with  all  who  loved  the  Lord.     His  intercourse! 
with  brethren  of  different  creeds  was  pleasant ' 
and  profitable.     In  referring  to  a  visit  made  him 
by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Tennent,  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  he  remarks  :  "  It  was  to  me  a  season  of 
spiritual  refreshing."     This  feeling  was  recipro- 
cated by  those  with  whom  he  was  brought  in 
contact.     Rev.  Mr.  Davies,  in  his  Journal,  uses 


116  MEMOIR    OF 

the  following  language  :  "  Waited  on  three  Lu- 
theran ministers  (one  of  them  was  undoubtedly 
the  subject  of  our  sketch),  and  was  not  a  little 
pleased  with  their  candor  and  simplicity.  How 
pleasing  it  is  to  see  the  rehgion  of  Jesus  appear 
undisguised  in  foreigners!  I  am  so  charmed 
with  it,  that  I  forget  all  national  and  religious 
differences,  —  and  my  very  heart  is  intimately 
united  with  them."  He  attended,  by  special  in- 
vitation, a  convention  of  the  Episcopal  Church, 
and  was  received  wdth  marked  kindness.  In 
1763,  we  find  Kev.  Messrs.  Durkee,  Peters,  and 
InglisS;  of  the  Episcopal  Church,  and  Kev. 
Messrs.  Findlay  and  Tennent,  of  the  Presbyte- 
rian Church,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Whitfield,  present  at 
a  Synodical  meeting  of  our  Church,  and  by  a 
vote  of  Synod,  Mr.  Whitfield  preached  a  sermon. 
Mr.  W.  likewise  attended  an  examination  of  the 
children  of  the  congregation  on  the  truths  of 
Christianity,  and  at  the  close  of  the  exercises, 
delivered  an  address. 

Dr.  Muhlenberg  loved  all  true  Christians, 
because  he  recognised  in  them  the  likeness  of  his 
Master;  because  he  saw  them  possessing  sub- 
stantially the  same  great  objects  which  animated 


HENRY   MELCHIOR   MUHLENBERG.       117 

liis  own  soul,  which  enlisted  his  own  sympathies 
and  efforts.  He  had  no  fondness  for  theological 
wai^flxre.  He  protested  against  a  useless  separa- 
tion between  brethren.  He  thought  that  the 
bonds  of  confidence,  that  ought  to  bind  them  to- 
gether, should  not  be  sundered;  that  efforts 
against  the  common  foe  should  be  united  and 
strengthened.  Whilst  sinners  were  perishing, 
and  spiritual  death  prevailed,  they  should  con- 
sult for  the  improvement  of  the  Church,  and 
adopt  measures  to  build  up  the  waste  places  and 
increase  the  efficiency  of  Zion,  that  Christ's  king- 
dom might  come,  and  be  extended  to  the  ends 
of  the  earth. 

Such  was  the  character  of  this  venerated  ser- 
vant of  Christ,  wdiose  memory  we  love  to  revere, 
whose  virtues  the  Church  desires  to  transmit  to 
posterity.  His  name  is  written  in  heaven, — his 
worth  is  cherished  on  the  earth  !  Let  us  praise 
God,  that  the  pioneer  of  the  American  Lutheran 
Church  was  so  devoted  a  Christian,  so  faithful  a 
laborer  in  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord.  Let  us  be 
grateful  to  the  Great  Head  of  the  Church  for  the 
services  he  rendered  —  for  the  example  he  has 
left  us.    The  memory  of  such  a  man  cannot  die. 


118  MEMOIR    OF 

The  influence  of  his  character  death  cannot  de- 
stroy. It  survives  the  dissolution  of  the  body, 
and  continues  unfading  and  immortal.  What 
he  did  for  God  will  live  when  the  memorial  of 
the  wicked  has  passed  away.  "  The  memory 
of  the  just  shall  live."  "  The  righteous  shall  be 
in  everlasting  remembrance."  "  Blessed  are  the 
dead  who  die  in  the  Lord, — they  rest  from  their 
labors,  and  their  works  do  follow  them." 

We  should  continue  to  hold  in  affectionate 
remembrance  the  excellencies  of  the  good  man, 
and  strive  to  cultivate  his  pure,  peaceable,  ele- 
vated, and  active  piety.  We  should  imitate  his 
fidelity  —  his  devotion  to  the  cause  of  the  Re- 
deemer. We  should  earnestly  and  fervently 
pray  that  his  mantle  may  descend  upon  us — that, 
like  him,  we  may  prove  a  blessing  to  the  com- 
munity, "  a  burning  and  a  shining  light"  in  the 
Church,  and  an  instrument  of  much  good  to  the 
world  ; — that  like  him,  we  may  die  and  our  sun 
set  without  a  cloud,  leaving  behind  it  an  undy- 
ing radiance;  that  survivors  may  discover,  in 
their  recollections  of  us,  springs  of  comfort,  testi- 
monies to  the  power  of  religion,  encouragement 
to  virtue  and  piety,  and  pledges  of  immortality. 


HENRY    MELCIIIOR    MUIILEXBEKG.        119 

The  piety  of  this  patriarch  may  be  ours  !  We 
possess  the  same  means  for  its  culture  which  he 
did  —  the  same  precious  gospel  which  is  '^  the 
power  of  God  unto  salvation  to  every  one  that 
belie veth,"  —  the  same  Holy  Spirit  —  the  same 
Saviour — the  same  mercy-seat.  If  we  fail,  it  is 
because  we  are  unfaithful  to  our  privileges,  un- 
fiiithful  to  ourselves,  and  unfliithful  to  our  God; 
because  we  do  not  '^  run  wdth  patience  the  race 
that  is  set  before  us;"  because  we  do  not  "press 
toward  the  mark  for  the  prize  of  the  high  calling 
of  God  in  Christ  Jesus." 

The  same  blissful  departure  from  this  world 
may  also  be  ours !  If  we  live  the  life  of  the 
righteous,  w^e  may  die  his  death  —  our  last  end 
will  be  like  his !  Only  those,  however,  who  look 
to  Jesus  as  the  author  and  finisher  of  their  flxith, 
and  rely  upon  his  merits,  can  walk  unfalteringly 
"  through  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death," 
fearing  no  evil.  He  will  be  with  them ;  —  his 
rod  and  staff  will  comfort  them. 

The  same  eternal  glory  likew^ise  may  be  ours ! 
The  Saviour  has  promised  it  to  every  true  be- 
liever :  "  In  my  Father's  house  are  many  man- 
sions.    I  go  to  prepare  a  place  for  you."     If  our 


120       MEMOIR   OF   11.  M.  MUHLENBERG. 

"  life  is  hid  with  Christ  in  God,  when  Christ,  who 
is  our  hfe,  shall  appear,  then  shall  we  also  appear 
with  him  in  glory."  When  life's  journey  is  over, 
and  the  world  recedes  from  our  vision,  w^e  shall 
behold  his  glory  and  abide  with  him  forever. 
"  They  that  are  wdse  shall  shine  as  the  brightness 
of  the  firmament,  and  they  that  turn  many  to 
righteousness^  as  the  stars,  forever  and  ever." 


THE    END. 


IINOSAY   &,  BLAKISTON'S  PU  BLIC  A  1  IONS. 


AN  ILLUSTRATED  LIFE  OP  MARTIN  LUTHER, 

THE  GREAT  GERMAN  REFORMER.  "With  a  Sketch  of  the  Reformation  in  Germany. 
Edited,  with  an  Introduction,  by  the  Rev.  Tiieophilus  Stork,  D.D.,  late  Pastor  of  St. 
Mark's  Luthern  Church,  Philadelphia.  Beautifully  Illustrated  hy  sixteen  designs,  printed 
on  fine  paper.    A  handsome  octavo  volume. 

Price)  In  clothf  gilt  liacks^  ■  ■  >  ■  ■  $3  00 

full  gilt,  ......  a  50 

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The  wirld  owes  much  to  Luther,  and  the  Reformation  of  which  he  was  the  prominent  leader,  a)i4 
•otnin^,  sav«  the  pure,  simple  word  of  God,  will  do  more  towards  securing  the  prevalence  and  per 
petuatins  the  influence  of  the  principles  of  religious  liberty  for  wliich  he  and  the  other  Reformert 
contended,  than  the  circulation  of  a  book  in  which  tlie  mental  processes  by  which  he  arrived  at  tui 
conclusions,  are  set  forth.  We  can  safely  recommend  this  book  as  one  that  is  worthy  of  a  place  m 
•very  dwelling,  and  we  hope  its  circulation  may  be  as  wide  as  its  merits  are  AeseTving.—Evanffelicai 
Magatine. 

THE  LIFE  OF  PHILIP  MELANCHTHON, 

THE  FRIEND  AND  COMPANION  OF  LUTHER,  According  to  his  Inner  and  Outer  Lif% 
Translated  from  the  German  of  Charles  Frederick  Ledderhose,  by  the  Rev.  Q.  F.  Krotei, 
Pastor  of  the  Trinity  Lutheran  Church,  Lancaster,  Pa.  With  a  Portrait  of  Melaachthon. 
In  one  Volume,  12mo.    Price  $1  GO. 


THE  PARABLES  OF  FRED'K  ADOLPHUS  KRUMMACHER. 

From  the  seventh  German  edition.    Elegantly  Illustrated  by  Twenty-six  Original  Designs, 
beautifully  printed  on  fine  paper.    A  handsome  demy  octavo  volume. 

Hlegantly  bound  in  clotli,  gilt  backs,         ...         Price  $1  75 
full  gilt  sides,  backs  and  edges,  3  .50 

Turkey  morocco,  antique,         .  4  00 

The  simple  and  Christian  parables  of  Krummacher,  chiefly  the  productions  of  his  younger  years, 
have  acquired  a  wide  popularity,  and  have  long  afforded  a  fund  on  which  our  periodicals  have  freelj 
drawn.  In  their  collected  form  they  have  passed  through  various  editions  in  Germany,  but  we  doubt 
Whether  any  of  them  have  been  so  tasteful  and  beautiful  in  all  their  appliances  as  the  one  before  us. 
The  typography  is  very  chaste,  and  the  illustrations  neat  and  appropriate.— PrcsZ>3/<eria7i. 


THE  CHRISTIAN'S  DAILY  DELIGHT. 

A  SACRED  GARLAND,  CULLED  FROM  ENGLISH  AND  AMERICAN  POETS.    Beatjtf. 
fclly  Illustrated  hy  Eight  Engravings  on  Steel. 

In  one  volume,  demy,  octavo,  clotb,  gilt  backs,        -        Price  81  50 

full  gilt  sides,  backs  and  edgesy     2  25 

\n  this  attractive  volume  we  find  much  to  please  the  eye  ;  but  the  most  valuable  niooinmet.dstioii 
•f  the  work  ia  found  ik  the  lessons  of  piety,  virtue,  morality,  and  mercy,  which  sro  throwa  togeinwi 
ta  tbw  many-coiou:ed  ffnrland  of  poetic  fLower^.—Eriscopai  Kecorder, 


LINDSAY   AND    BLAKISTON 

ruuLisii 

A  MANUAL  OF  SACRED  HISTORY; 

OR, 
A  GUIDE  TO  THE  UNDERSTANDING 

(if  t\t  gibiiu  Ihit  0f  <SaIl)di0n 

ACCOIIDING  TO  ITS  UISTORICAL  DEVELOPMENT. 
BY 

JOHN  HENRY  KURTZ,  D.D., 

PROFESSOR   OF   CHURCH   HISTORY   IN   THE    UNIVERSITY  OF   DORPAT,   BTO. 

TRANSLATED  FROM  THE  SIXTH  GERMAN  EDITION, 

BY 

CHARLES  F.  SCHAEFFER,  D.D., 

OPINIONS  OF  THE  PRESS. 

"A  very  comprehensive,  accurate,  and  methodical  digest  of  the  Sacred  HU- 
ln^Y  —  done  with  genuine  thoroughness  and  scholarship.  There  is  nothing 
ai».  »ng  our  manuals  of  Biblical  History  that  corresponds  with  this.  It  is  sim- 
plt  in  style,  and  orthodox  in  sentiment." — N.  Y.  Evanrjelist. 

"The  Observations  (introduced  by  the  author)  are  replete  with  the  results 
of  extensive  research — meeting  objections  and  cavils,  solving  difficulties,  ex- 
plaining obscure  passages,  reconciling  apparent  discrepancies,  pointing  out 
coniicctious,  exposing  and  rectifying  errors,  unfolding  the  nature  and  design 
of  sacred  institutions  and  ordinances,  and  showing  the  relation  of  events,  per- 
sons, institutions  and  prophecies,  to  the  great  central  fact  and  theme  of  Scrip- 
ture, man's  redemption  through  the  incarnate  Son."  —  Evangelical  JievUv, 
April,  1855. 

*'  This  is  the  best  book  of  the  hind  we  have  ever  examined,  and  one  of  the 
best  translations  from  German  into  English  we  have  ever  seen.  The  author 
makes  no  parade  of  learning  in  his  book,  but  his  exegetical  statements  ar« 
evidently  founded  on  the  most  careful,  thorough,  and  extensive  study,  and  can 
generally  be  relied  upon  as  among  the  best  results,  the  most  surely  ascertained 
conclusions  of  modern  philological  investigation.  We  by  no  means  hold  our- 
eelvod  responsible  for  every  sentiment  in  the  book,  but  we  cordially  recommend 
It  to  every  minister,  to  every  Sunday  school  teacher,  to  every  parent,  and  to 
everj  intelligent  layman,  as  a  safe  and  exceedingly  instructive  guide,  through 
the  entire  Bible  history,  the  Old  Testament  and  the  New.  It  is  a  book  which 
actually  accomplishes  more  than  its  title  promises/'  Ac.  &c.—{Andover)  Biblu 
Otheca  Sa<*ra,  April,  1855. 


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